South Congaree, Sc. (WIS) — A scrutinized South His Congaree landlord was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of renting out his trailer home at a park that will close in two months.
Landlord Naomi Halter faces a misdemeanor charge of operating without a license.
On Tuesday morning, a Lexington County judge gave her a personal endorsement guarantee, allowing her to wait for a court date without paying any money.
The town of South Congaree withdrew her license last August and her appeal was denied in November.
In denying the appeal, South Congaree Town Council initiated an ordinance-mandated eviction process for residents of the four affected parks.
This includes parks at Sana Circle, Cactus Court, Genesis Circle and Sierra Circle. However, the Council also voted to delay that process.
Town ordinances require landlords to notify all residents to vacate 30 days after an appeal hearing. However, the council has decided to postpone the implementation of the ordinance until January 31, 2023.
This means that park residents must vacate by March 2, 2023.
Halter’s arrest warrant alleges that he rented a mobile home on Sana Circle from December 14, 2022 to January 1, 2023 and received a security deposit and $1,500 for the first month’s rent.
Halter’s attorney, William Edwards, told the judge that Halter was 79 years old, in poor health, and had no prior criminal record.
Additionally, he said he helped arrange Holter’s surrender in prison.
NAOMI HALTER IN JAIL: A South Congaree landlord is in jail for operating without a business license (i.e. bringing in new tenants when the business license is revoked). @wis10 pic.twitter.com/BGYYxlZGF7
— Chris Joseph WIS (@Chris_D_Joseph) January 10, 2023
WIS spoke with Edwards after the hearing, but he declined to comment further.
A WIS investigation of the condition of several of Holter’s mobile homes found cockroaches, drain leaks and holes.
After WIS visited the property, some repairs were made.
A Lexington County magistrate found Holter in contempt of court for allowing the cockroach problem to linger, but allowed her to seek eviction against tenants who illegally deducted rent.
A few days after the WIS investigation, Holter’s house caught fire. The cause of the fire has not been determined, and police have arrested about 11 people for attempted robbery.
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