GREENWOOD COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – A former Upstate deputy pled guilty in advance of his upcoming trial date for the murder of his neighbor in Greenwood County.
43-year-old Justin Rawlings Moody was sentenced to 34 years in prison for the murder of 48-year-old Oscar Rubio. Officials confirmed that Moody served as a deputy for the Laurens County, Greenville County and Richland County Sheriff’s Office from the years 2007 to 2018.
An investigation was initiated in May 2023 after Rubio’s girlfriend found him dead inside his home with a severe gunshot wound to the head and two gunshot wounds to the chest. Officials also found blood all over the porch and front yard, and it appeared that someone had dragged Rubio’s body inside the house after he had been shot.
Multiple witnesses told investigators that Rubio had recently had an issue with his neighbor, later identified as Moody. It was indicated that the victim had loaned Moody money in the past.
Investigators went to Moody’s house, located next door to the victim, and tried for an extended time to get Moody to answer the door. It was not until a deputy who knew Moody personally arrived that he came to the door and said he had been sleeping.
Deputies noted that he did not appear to have been asleep, and all the lights were on in the house. Inside Moody’s home, deputies observed a pair of pants folded over a kitchen chair that had blood spatter on them.
It was also reported that when questioned, Moody denied involvement but was aware of details about the crime scene. Officials mentioned that during the interview, Moody referred to himself as God and could hear the thoughts of other people.
Law enforcement located the murder weapon in Moody’s bedroom as well as boots that matched a footprint at the victim’s home.
Deputies also found items that belonged to the victim, including several thousand dollars in cash and the keys to the victim’s vehicle. Investigators mentioned a funeral pamphlet on Moody’s kitchen table had the written words “RIP Oscar” and “You should love your neighbor.”
Moody’s plea was accepted and the sentence was handed down with no negotiation from the state.
Under SC law, a sentence for murder must be within the range of thirty years to life in prison and served day-for-day.
Therefore, Moody will not be eligible for parole.
