Full Notification

At approximately 8:30 last night, Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an open 9-1-1 line coming from a Chaplin Drive, St. Helena Island home. When deputies arrived, they heard what appeared to be a violent confrontation inside of the home. Deputies then announced their presence and the sounds from inside of the home went quiet.

Deputies made entry to the home and discovered a man and a woman bound with rope and duct tape, the man was seriously injured. Deputies continued to clear the home and found two men inside, the homeowner 41-year-old Justin Granet and his guest 41-year-old Don Bliss of Beaufort.

Deputies called for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to respond to treat the injured man and summoned investigators to Granet’s Chaplin Drive home. EMS transported the injured man to Beaufort Memorial Hospital for treatment and, based on the severity of his injuries, he was later transported by ambulance to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).

Granet and Bliss were interviewed by investigators, while a search warrant was obtained to search Granet’s home. Granet and Bliss admitted binding the man and woman and beating the man. It was learned that the injured man was struck by Bliss with a blunt object during the assault. 

Ultimately, Granet was charged with Kidnapping and Assault and Battery 1^st Degree and Bliss was charged with Kidnapping, Assault and Battery 1^st Degree and Possession of a Weapon in the Commission of a Violent Crime. Following their arrests, Granet and Bliss were transported to the Beaufort County Detention Center and incarcerated.

During the search of Granet’s home, Sheriff’s Office investigators recovered the blunt object believed used in the man’s beating, two firearms and approximately four pounds of marijuana. The incident is still under investigation and additional charges may result. There is no update on the injured man's condition at MUSC. 

We appreciate your partnership and continued commitment to the safety of our community.