Orangeburg resident Rochell C. Peeples says she has tried hard to turn her life and the life of her family around.

She’s currently a full-time student at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College striving to receive an associate’s degree and has made getting As and Bs a top priority. She has plans to attend Claflin University to get her bachelor’s degree.

But the 31-year-old fears that her efforts will be harmed because she has a name similar to that of a woman arrested on a charge of strong-arm robbery.

The name “Rochell C. Peeples” was written on arrest warrants issued in connection with a July 20 incident. Media used the warrants in reporting on the arrest.

But the person who was actually charged was Roschelle Peeple, 29, of 4607 Charleston Highway, according to the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office.

Peeple was charged with strong-arm robbery and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in the death of a person.

Orangeburg County officials allege Peeple and three others robbed 27-year-old James Simmons of Johns Island. They further claim that when Simmons jumped from a moving vehicle, Peeple did not return to the area to check on him. Simmons’ death has been ruled an accident.

Peeples says the issue is about more than the name on a warrant.

“I arrived home that Monday and I had police officers at my house,” Peeples said. “I was terrified because I did not know what was going on.”

She said, “In my rearview mirror I could see police just flying up to my house. I said, ‘What did I do? Are you all here to lock me up?’”

After further discussion, she was able to convince officials that she was finishing up a project at school at the time of the alleged robbery and that there was a case of mistaken identity.

“I thought it was all over with,” Peeples said.

Two days later, Peeples said she received a call from her cousin letting her know that her picture was on the Internet on a television station’s Web site.

“I rushed to the house and saw my picture up there,” she said. “After I saw my picture there ... I just literally hit the floor not knowing what was going on.”

The sheriff’s office denied releasing her picture to any media. Peeples said the picture was eventually removed with the correct picture of the person arrested posted.

“Everybody at OCtech, all the faculty and staff, saw my picture,” Peeples said. “I have had to leave school early because the attention has been overwhelming.”

Orangeburg County Sheriff Office Larry Williams acknowledged a mistake was made. He said the matter was being looked at to ensure it does not happen again.

“We utilize the information that was given to us by the defendant,” Williams said. “There could have been a typo.”

Williams said he met personally with Peeples Tuesday.

“I assured her that wherever the problem ... that I would make certain to follow through with her,” he said. “Any person who thinks she is the bad girl in this incident, she is not the bad girl. There has been an error in misidentification.”

Peeples acknowledged that she has had trouble with the law before but none since about four years ago.

“I am a law-abiding citizen,” she said. “The only thing I am masterminding and plotting is to obtain my associate’s degree from OCtech and to try to get may family together. I love all my children very much and when I go to sleep I would not do anything to jeopardize their lives.”

Peeples said she’s concerned someone else’s mistake will affect her future.

“It has been crazy. I just want people to know it was not me,” she said.

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551.

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