Suspect in blaze, owner were friends for years

Dairy Cream reopens to success, support

By GINA VASSELLI
Item Staff Writer
gvasselli@theitem.com

Nevin Boykin and Lewis Jenkins Jr. had been friends for at least five years, but on Wednesday, Boykin told Magistrate Judge Joe Davis he doesn’t want Jenkins near him.

Jenkins is accused of setting Boykin’s business, the Dairy Cream, on fire and during a bond hearing, Boykin asked the judge for a restraining order if Jenkins satisfies bond.

Davis granted the request at Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.

“I don’t want him at my business or near me or my family,” Boykin said.

As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, Boykin didn’t have to worry because Jenkins was still in jail, according to jail officials.

Jenkins, 33, of 3200 Deer Track Circle in Dalzell, had his bond set by Davis at $75,000 surety, which means he would post about 10 percent of that amount on the condition that he return for the court date.

Jenkins has been charged with second-degree arson, but Sumter Police Chief Patty Patterson said the investigation is still ongoing.

Boykin, his fianceé and the manager of the store, Antoinette Hill, and his mother, Cynthia Boykin, were at the hearing.

“I can’t believe he’s standing over there,” Nevin Boykin said.

Jenkins said he had done some things in his past but, “This is not one of them.”

“Me and Nevin, we was friends,” Jenkins said. “They know I would never do that.”

According to police, evidence found at the scene linked Jenkins to the fire.

Patterson said previously that materials left on the scene were “incendiary in nature” and were purchased from a local business. Officers tracked those materials to Jenkins.

According to police, detectives got search and arrest warrants for Jenkins and his home. The search warrant was served on Tuesday. While police were there, Jenkins showed up. He was arrested, taken to the law enforcement center for questioning and then taken to jail.

Jenkins is next scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court in the term that begins July 20.

Contact Staff Writer Gina Vasselli at gvasselli@theitem.com or (803) 774-1214.