Norway mayor charged with impersonating cop

NORWAY, SC (WCSC) - State Law Enforcement Division officials arrested the mayor of Norway after they say he, among other things, initiated a traffic stop on a South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper.

SLED officials have charged James Arren Preacher Jr. with misconduct in office and impersonating a law enforcement officer.

According to an affidavit, Preacher initiated a traffic stop on a state trooper in Norway on Jan. 18. Court documents state during this time period, Preacher instructed the town’s clerk to stat paying him a salary equal to the amount the previous police officer in Norway was making, in addition to his salary as mayor.

Documents also state Preacher hired his son, James Arren Preacher III, owner of All Aqua Environmental in Norway, to a position at the Town of Norway’s Water Treatment Department and paid him a salary using official Town of Norway funds.