Speeding trooper had suspended license

COLUMBIA --- A state trooper ticketed for driving 130 mph in a 70 mph zone has been removed from duty for driving with a suspended license, the director of the state's public safety department said.

Senior Trooper J.D. McGaha was suspended Friday after officials learned his license was suspended Dec. 3 through Feb. 20 for failure to pay vehicle taxes, Public Safety Director Mark Keel told The State newspaper.

Trooper McGaha was suspended from the patrol for three days after his unmarked car was stopped by another trooper March 28 on Interstate 20 in Kershaw County. Trooper McGaha, who has been a trooper since July 2005, was running late to the Carolina Cup steeplechase races in Camden, where he was scheduled to direct traffic.

In that case, Trooper McGaha faces a $355 fine and six points against his license if convicted, authorities said.

Top public safety officials didn't know about the license suspension until The State filed a Freedom of Information Act request Friday and obtained records on Trooper McGaha from the Department of Motor Vehicles, public safety spokesman Sid Gaulden said.

ANDERSON --- A pastor accused of burning his church is now facing insurance fraud charges.

Anderson County deputies say Christopher Patrick Daniels, 40, of Belton, was charged Thursday with three counts of filing false insurance claims on behalf of Blue Ridge Baptist Church, where he was pastor.

Deputies say Mr. Daniels filed false police reports about vandalism at the church, then filed insurance claims for more than $20,000 in damage.

Mr. Daniels was arrested March 9 and charged with second-degree arson in a fire at the church the day before. He has also been charged with breach of trust after the reported theft of about $5,000 from the church.

Mr. Daniels is being held in the Anderson County jail.

MYRTLE BEACH --- A 35-year-old woman has been charged with taking pictures of young teenage girls having sex and posting them online.

Jail records show Christina Lynn Player was released from the Horry County jail Saturday.

Ms. Player was arrested Thursday and charged with engaging a child younger than 18 for sexual performance. Police say the pictures of the 14- and 15-year-old girls were taken at Ms. Player's home and posted on the social networking site MySpace.

Court documents say Ms. Player knew the girls were underage and told police she took the pictures. A judge Friday set Ms. Player's bail at $50,000 and ordered her not to contact either of the girls.