Ivester in custody, alert ended

A Seneca man for whom a public alert had been issued is in custody. Authorities say Robert Andrew Ivester, wanted on forgery charges, and a second person, Cynthia Michelle Hammett, both surrendered late this morning at the office of Probation, Parole and Pardons in Walhalla. According to the Sheriff’s Department, Hammett was also wanted on forgery charges. Deputies had quoted Ivester as saying the 23-year old had threatened to harm himself or others, possibly on the campus of a school. 96.3/WGOG NEWS learned that, in years past, Ivester had been a student at the Hamilton Career Center. For the duration of today’s alert, Oconee public schools were under Code Yellow, meaning no outdoor recess.