A Beaufort County jury has acquitted former Bluffton Police Sergeant Bonifacio Perez of misconduct in office, bringing an end to a case that began more than a year ago and left his law enforcement career on hold. Prosecutors had accused Perez of helping a civilian employee remove at least one firearm from the police department. After hearing the evidence, the jury found him not guilty.
Perez was indicted in August of the previous year following an investigation by the State Law Enforcement Division. The charge alleged that he assisted former Quartermaster Thomas Rauchfuss in the suspected theft of a surrendered firearm. Rauchfuss faces a separate obstruction charge that is still pending.
As the case moved forward, Perez invoked his right to a speedy trial. Circuit Court Judge Robert Bonds granted that request, allowing the matter to reach a jury sooner rather than later. Perez, Rauchfuss, and two other police employees had already been placed on administrative leave months earlier while both internal and criminal investigations took place.
The town released very few details about the investigation at the time and heavily redacted public records requests. Once the indictments became public, the Bluffton Police Department noted that its Duty to Intervene policy requires officers to speak up when they believe a colleague has crossed a line.
Perez was fired the day after the indictment. According to his attorney, Ben Shelton of Shelton Law Firm, the department claimed he withheld information and played a role in the alleged firearm theft. Shelton disputed those claims from the beginning.
Shelton argued that the need for a speedy trial was critical because the police department had notified the South Carolina Justice Academy that Perez was terminated for misconduct. This left Perez unable to clear his name and unable to work in law enforcement during the pending case.
After the jury delivered its verdict, Shelton said his client had been wronged by the process and deserved far better from local and state officials.
“While he begins to put his life back together, I hope that this will be a lesson to town management, law enforcement and prosecutors,” Shelton said. “There was a clear and obvious rush to judgment. He has always been innocent, and the jury’s verdict confirms that.”
Despite the acquittal, Bluffton Police Chief Joseph Babkiewicz stated that he would not rehire Perez, citing findings from an internal investigation. He did not provide further explanation.
Shelton Law Firm will continue to support Perez as he works to rebuild his career and reputation after a long and difficult legal journey.
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