Criminal Defense Investigations

Paul Silvaggio, Criminal Defense Investigator

Paul Silvaggio, Criminal Defense Investigations

Paul Silvaggio, workplace death investigations

Paul Silvaggio, criminal defense, assault and battery, murder

Investigator Paul Silvaggio is available to work state-wide in South Carolina on criminal investigations. Rates will vary depending upon the complexity of the investigation.

Paul A. Silvaggio is the newest addition to Anthony Proietta & Associates Investigations, Inc., and will head up criminal defense investigations for our agency. One of the most widely renowned, respected and experienced homicide investigators in the Southeast, Silvaggio retired in November 2009 from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office where he most recently served as supervisor over the agency’s Homicide and Violent Crimes Unit.

His fields of expertise include:

Homicide, suicide, accidental, undetermined and natural death investigations, reconstruction and evaluation
Extensive death penalty case experience from the crime scene to the courtroom
Industrial and workplace death investigations
Aircraft fatality investigation
Assault and battery, burglary, family violence, narcotics, sexual assault and vehicle theft investigations
Defendant evaluations

Witness identification, location and tracking:

Victimology
Evaluation of evidence and initial police investigations in general and death investigations
Interviews and interrogations
Courtroom and witness preparation and presentation
Post-Conviction Relief (PCR) investigations
Jury pool backgrounds and examinations

A graduate of the prestigious Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville, Silvaggio has earned a reputation throughout the law enforcement and legal communities for exhibiting superior investigative skills and professionalism. His investigative skills and determination during his career with the Sheriff’s Office set a new standard for bringing exceptional cases to trial and earned him the respect of judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys alike throughout the local, state and federal court system in South Carolina.

It was because of that legacy that in 2002 Silvaggio was awarded the coveted Billy Wilkins Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement, named in honor of retired U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge William W. “Billy” Wilkins, now a Greenville attorney. That distinguished honor is reserved for those officers who have continually exhibited outstanding attributes in the performance of their duties in both the field and the courtroom.

Highly respected among his peers, Silvaggio throughout his career has frequently been called upon by outside law enforcement agencies and private corporations for assistance in felony investigations, consulting and training.

Silvaggio's efforts in February 2009 with the Allendale County Sheriff’s Office at the request of the sheriff there resulted in a historic verdict for South Carolina when the 20-year-old ex-boyfriend of a missing teen was found guilty of murder, even though her body was never recovered.

Silvaggio has served as a guest instructor at Clemson University, Bob Jones University, Furman University, Lander University and Greenville Technical College, and numerous statewide conferences for law enforcement and others in the legal community. He is often called upon to deliver programs for civic organizations and support groups such as Compass of Carolina, Meals on Wheels of Greenville, Inc., Rotary International and Survivors of Suicide.

It was because of his dedication and accomplished career that then Gov. Jim Hodges in March 2002 awarded Silvaggio the Order of the Silver Crescent.

Silvaggio began his career in law enforcement in the U.S. Army as a military police officer, and rose through the ranks to the position of criminal investigator before completing his tour of duty with an honorable discharge. While in the Army, he completed numerous sensitive investigations dealing with top-secret military security issues. His accolades and commendations include the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Service Medal.

Wishing to pursue a career in civilian law enforcement, Silvaggio joined the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office as a uniform patrol deputy after completing his tour of duty with the Army. His first year in Greenville County, he was honored with the Rookie of the Year Award. He has also been the recipient of the Rotary International Officer of the Year Award, and the Officer of the Year Award as recognized by the Wade Hampton/Taylors Jaycees. Silvaggio has received numerous letters of commendation and has earned three Distinguished Service Medals, all testaments to his achievements for his commitment to professionalism.

Over his more than two decades with the Sheriff’s Office, Silvaggio was promoted first to Master Deputy where he transferred into the investigative field and worked assignments ranging from Narcotics to Burglary to Homicide. In July 2008, he was promoted to sergeant and placed in charge of the unit in which he had previously served.

Among the high profile murder cases Silvaggio has worked during his career are:

The shooting death of S.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Eric Nicholson in Dec. 2002, which resulted in a charge of murder being lodged against John Richard Wood. Wood is now awaiting execution on South Carolina's Death Row.
The kidnapping and execution-style murders of Marietta, S.C., residents Tom and Carol Ann Lloyd in April 2002, which led Silvaggio to Texas where one defendant took his own life and the other, after being convicted of first degree murder, is now serving life without parole in the North Carolina Department of Corrections.
The April 2003 murder of Greenville County Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Sapinoso and his father, Antonio Sapinoso, after the two were held hostage in their Mauldin home overnight by the ex-boyfriend of the deputy’s sister. Silvaggio successfully obtained a confession from the ex-boyfriend, Kamell Evans, which resulted in charges of kidnapping and murder in the case. Evans was ultimately convicted on the charges and is now awaiting execution on South Carolina’s Death Row.
The September 2004 kidnapping and murder of James Cockman, a former high-powered Fortune 500 executive who was serving as chairman of the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce when BMW announced its intentions to build a major plant in the Upstate of South Carolina. The persistence of Silvaggio, working with special agents from the FBI’s Greenville field office, led him and one FBI agent to a winding mountain road in eastern Tennessee where they arrested David Edens and Jennifer Holloway. Silvaggio successfully obtained a confession from Holloway, which resulted in charges of murder and kidnapping being lodged against both suspects, and the recovery of Cockman’s body. Both Edens and Holloway are now serving life without parole in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
The February 2005 kidnapping and murder of Miranda Williams, who was shot and killed inside the Bi-Lo supermarket on East North Street where she was taken hostage while working her midmorning shift. Her ex-boyfriend, Charles Williams, was subsequently charged and later convicted of kidnapping and murder, and is now awaiting execution on South Carolina’s Death Row.
The August 2006 armed robbery inside the Fast Cash Pawn Shop on White Horse Road in Greenville that left store owner Tim Henson dead, and another employee shot. Silvaggio later charged Benjamin Eric Case with murder, assault and battery with intent to kill and armed robbery in connection with the case. The 25-year-old construction worker from Greenwood would later cut short his death penalty trial by pleading guilty and giving up his right to ever appeal his sentence or ever be released on parole regardless of any changes in the law.

Contact Paul A. Silvaggio through Prioetta & Associates Investigations, Inc., or reach him directly by e-mail at paul@proiettapi.com