State briefs

York County coroner charged

ROCK HILL — York County Coroner Doug McKown has been charged with violating the terms of his probation.

Police in Lincoln County, N.C., say the 39-year-old McKown was charged with drinking and driving Thursday night. Police also say his passenger was smoking crack.

The (Rock Hill) Herald reported Friday that McKown denies the charges and says he went to North Carolina to give a friend who had too much to drink a ride home.

McKown was sentenced to a year probation in May after being convicted of illegally possessing prescription medication. He was acquitted of drug charges, allowing him to be reinstated as coroner.

Probation officials say McKown failed to report his arrest and associated with someone who has a criminal record.

Pageant official faces sex charge

SPARTANBURG — Police have charged a Miss South Carolina pageant official with criminal sexual conduct with a child younger than 11.

Easley police say 44-year-old Joseph "Joey" Pettigrew Sanders IV was arrested Friday. According to arrest warrants, Sanders sexually assaulted a 9-year-old girl in 2005 at a Comfort Inn in Easley.

Sanders' attorney, Bill Coates of Greenville, said in a statement that his client denies the charges and expects to be exonerated.

Sanders' parents, Joe and Gail, also serve as officials of the Liberty-based Miss South Carolina Organization. Gail Sanders said Friday that her son has taken a leave of absence from the organization.

Sanders was released on bail Friday.