A young Black woman in South Carolina is taking legal action after waiting three years to get back nearly $20,000 that was stolen from her during an armed robbery in 2022. Even though the thief admitted guilt in court, the Greenville Police Department is still holding onto the money—and now, she’s suing to get it back.
What Happened in 2022?
Tamia Sims-Irby, who is now 21, was just 18 when she and a friend travelled from Greenville to Atlanta, Georgia for work. According to court records, after arriving, the two women were ambushed in a hotel parking lot by four men—acquaintances from Greenville.
One of the men pulled out a gun, pistol-whipped Sims-Irby, stabbed her, and stole her money. That man has never been identified. However, the three other men in the car—Tyjailon Smith, Joshua Knuckles, and Jailyn Taylor—were all later indicted.
One Man Pleads Guilty, but Money Still Withheld
Tyjailon Smith, who was arrested in Greenville, had the stolen money on him at the time. He was extradited to Georgia and, in 2023, he pleaded guilty to theft by taking as part of a first-time offender plea deal. He was sentenced to five years of probation.
Despite Smith admitting he stole the money from Sims-Irby, the Greenville Police Department still has not returned it. According to Sims-Irby’s lawsuit filed on April 23, 2025, she now needs a court order to prove that the money is hers—even though the thief’s guilty plea should be enough.
Sims-Irby Files Lawsuit Against Greenville Police
Sims-Irby’s lawsuit accuses the police department of refusing to return her money without any legal reason. The crime happened in Atlanta, was investigated by Atlanta police, and prosecuted by the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office. Greenville police were only involved in arresting Smith, so it’s unclear why they are still holding onto the money.
“It’s definitely a nightmare,” Sims-Irby told Fox Carolina. “I still have scars from being pistol-whipped… I was stabbed and robbed for a significant amount of money.”
History of Racial Bias in South Carolina Forfeitures
This case has drawn even more attention because of the long-standing issues in South Carolina with civil asset forfeiture, a process where police can take money or property from people even if they are not convicted or even charged with a crime.
According to a two-year investigation by the Greenville News, Black men make up 65% of forfeiture cases in South Carolina, even though they are only 13% of the population. White people are also twice as likely to have their seized money returned compared to Black people.
Sims-Irby’s case is now being seen as part of a larger pattern of unfair treatment and racial bias in law enforcement money seizures.
Tamia’s Fight for Justice
Sims-Irby said she’s determined to fight until she gets her money back. “I’m not going to stop until I get my money because I don’t feel like I should be funding a police department,” she said.