Horry County sheriff deputy charged with assault after incident while on-duty

An Horry County sheriff deputy was released Monday on $1,000 bail after he was charged with assault and trespassing in connection with an incident that occurred Saturday while he was on duty and driving a sheriff’s van, according to authorities.

Christopher Bowen, 52, of Conway was booked into J. Reuben Long Detention Center at 8:15 a.m. Monday on charges of third-degree assault and battery and first-offense trespassing, according to jail records. Bowen was released on bail at 10:09 a.m. Monday.

Lisa Bourcier, Horry County spokeswoman, said Bowen was hired as a deputy sheriff with the county on Sept. 28, 2009.

Tom Fox, director of J. Reuben Long Detention Center where Bowen worked, said Tuesday that Bowen was relieved of his duties after jail officials were called Saturday night about the incident, and Bowen is no longer employed with the county.

Officials are conducting an internal investigation, Fox said.