Man sexually abused girls, says Lexington Co. sheriff who’s looking for more victims
A Lexington County man has been charged with sexually abusing multiple girls years ago, the sheriff’s department said Wednesday.
James Robert Pratt committed sex crimes against four preteen girls between 2011 and 2014, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.
The 42-year-old Gaston man was charged with four counts of first-degree criminal sexual contact with a minor under the age of 11, according to the release.
“Based on forensic interviews, detectives determined Pratt had sexual contact with two girls at a Gaston home during the summer of 2011,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said in the release. “Our case also includes forensic interviews with two other girls who disclosed they had sexual contact with Pratt at another Gaston home during the winter of 2014.”
Pratt was arrested Feb. 21, the sheriff’s department said.
He’s being held at the Lexington County Detention Center after being denied bond, jail records show.
The sheriff’s department is investigating if there are more victims.
“We encourage anyone with information about Pratt that could be helpful to us as we work these cases to make that call and share it with us,” Koon said in the release. “We know it might not be easy or comfortable; however, we want to make sure we’re doing right by anyone who’s been involved in something against their will.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or report it to CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.
In 2018, Pratt was charged with drug possession and paid a $615 fine on the marijuana/hash charge, Lexington County court records show.
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This story was originally published March 4, 2020 at 3:24 PM.
