SC sex offender filmed assault on a child, solicitor says. He was sentenced this week
A Pickens County man was given the harshest possible sentence after prosecutors proved in court that he molested a child, according to 13th Circuit Solicitor Walt Wilkins.
A jury convicted Aaron Benjamin Beach, 32, on March 19 of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
In court prosecutors presented evidence that showed on July 4 and 5, 2016, Beach sexually assaulted a 4-year-old child in Easley, the solicitor’s office said in a statement. Beach recorded the assault and took photos of the child.
Beach sent the videos and photos to a woman in Virginia, Wilkins’ statement said. She contacted police. Authorities with the Easley Police Department and the Virginia State Police investigated.
Court records show Beach was arrested Aug. 1, 2016.
Judge Roger Couch sentenced Beach to life in prison without parole plus 20 years, Wilkins said.
“This extensive sentence will send the message that child predators and their deviant actions will not be tolerated in our communities,” Wilkins said. “We will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases and protect all children from this most selfish crime.”
In 2006 Beach was charged with two sex crimes against a minor under 16 years old, according to court records. He pleaded guilty to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and was sentenced to three years probation and required to register as a sex offender.
In 2008, Beach pleaded guilty to failing to register as a sex offender and served 90 days in jail.