GREENWOOD (SC)
WYFF [Greenville, SC]
October 9, 2025
By Stephanie Moore and Miya Payton
A former mayor and pastor in South Carolina is accused of inappropriate conduct with a vulnerable patient inside a hospital room.
Johnnie Waller, a former mayor of Calhoun Falls, is charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct.
A release from the Greenwood Police Department said Waller is “a community member known to visit patients under a pastoral role.”
Police said they were called to Self Regional Healthcare on Sept. 27 after a staff member reported seeing “a situation in a patient’s room that prompted immediate concern and led to notification of security and law enforcement.”
According to police, the staff member reported that Waller was in the room of a long-term patient under the care of the Department of Social Services.
Police said the patient involved has been in the hospital’s care since early 2025 and had been formally deemed to lack decision-making capacity by multiple physicians.
“Due to the nature of the encounter and the patient’s diagnosed cognitive condition, an investigation was initiated to determine if a criminal offense occurred,” the release said.
During the investigation, police said they collected surveillance footage, gathered statements from hospital staff and conducted interviews.
The investigation led to Waller’s arrest. He is also not allowed on any Self Regional Healthcare properties.
WYFF News 4 reached out to Self Regional Healthcare with the following questions, and the hospital responded to each one individually.
Q: What are the hospital’s policies for clergy, pastors, or faith leaders who visit patients in a spiritual capacity? Are there badges, background checks, or formal approval?
A: We do not have a separate policy specific to clergy or faith leaders; they are subject to our general visitation policy. Self Regional Healthcare takes every reasonable precaution to protect the safety of our patients, visitors, and team members while complying with CMS requirements that ensure patient access to visitors, including spiritual support.
Q: How does the hospital address misconduct if it occurs on its grounds?
A: Any illegal or suspicious activity on hospital property is promptly reported to law enforcement with appropriate jurisdiction, as required by federal and/or state law. That is precisely what our staff did in this incident.
Q: Are there safeguards in place to ensure patients, families, and staff are protected from inappropriate conduct by visitors, including pastoral visitors?
A: Yes. Our hospital maintains multiple layers of safety measures. All staff receive regular safety and awareness training. Security cameras are positioned throughout hallways, entrances, exits, parking areas, and campus grounds. We also have dedicated on-site security personnel and hold daily safety huddles to promote continuous improvement. Every Self Regional Healthcare team member is reminded: “If you see something, say something.” Those protocols were followed appropriately in this incident.
Q: Also, if there is any general statement you would like to provide about the incident, please feel free to do so.
A: We can confirm that an individual has been arrested and charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct, Third Degree, in connection with an incident that occurred at Self Regional Medical Center. The individual has never been employed by, or volunteered with, or had any affiliation to Self Regional Healthcare. We are fully cooperating with the Greenwood Police Department as they continue their investigation. Because this matter remains part of an active legal process, we are unable to provide additional details at this time.