Lancaster, SC – A 35-year-old man, Donnie Ray Birchfield, Jr., has been arrested and charged with a range of crimes after allegedly keeping four people captive in his basement for years, according to the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office.
Alleged Crimes and Charges
Birchfield faces multiple felony charges, including:
- Four counts of false imprisonment
- Four counts of exploitation of a vulnerable adult
- Two counts of abuse of a vulnerable adult
- Two counts of domestic violence
- Four counts of financial fraud
Authorities say the horrific conditions occurred in a residence on Churchill Drive in Lancaster, a small town just south of the North Carolina border. Warrants in the case were recently released, shedding light on the extreme control and abuse allegedly exercised by Birchfield over the victims.
Details of the Captivity
The investigation began on July 25 after Lancaster police responded to an unattended death. By August 1, Birchfield was under arrest.
One of the alleged captives, a married woman, died under suspicious circumstances. Birchfield was reportedly the sole caregiver to her and her husband, and authorities are still investigating how he became involved with the couple. Allegedly, he denied the husband access to food and medical care.
Two other victims were women with whom Birchfield was romantically involved. One woman had been living in the house since September 2024, while the other had been there since 2015, according to court documents.
Alleged Abuse and Control
Authorities say Birchfield controlled the victims’ movements, only allowing them out of the basement when he permitted. He also allegedly dictated when they could eat or use the bathroom, and controlled their cell phones to prevent them from calling for help.
At least one of Birchfield’s romantic partners was allegedly regularly strangled, causing her to fear for her life. Court documents also claim Birchfield made a disturbing comment about prior experience disposing of a human body, which heightened her fear.
Financial Exploitation
In addition to physical abuse, Birchfield is accused of extensive financial crimes. Authorities allege he used the couple’s credit and debit cards for at least $2,000 in online Walmart purchases dating back to 2021, all for his personal use.
This year, Birchfield’s alleged spending escalated. From January through August 2025, he reportedly withdrew over $11,800 from the couple’s bank accounts to pay his own debts.
Current Status and Investigation
Birchfield is currently being held without bail at the Lancaster County Detention Center, as per reports. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and could result in additional charges.
“This is a sick individual,” a neighbor told WSOC, a Charlotte-based ABC and Telemundo affiliate. “He’s a sick person to do something like that.”
Have you or someone you know experienced similar abuse or control situations? Share your thoughts or safety tips in the comments below to raise awareness.
