Irmo man found with sexually explicit photos of child, more victims possible, cops say
An Irmo man was arrested Thursday on multiple charges of sexually exploiting a minor, police said.
Daniel Newbanks was in possession of sexually explicit photos of a child when he was arrested, without incident, the Irmo Police Department said in a news release.
The investigation began as an unlawful communication case with a victim who is a minor, Capt. Courtney Dennis told The State. The digital photos were found on a device that belongs to Newbanks, Dennis said.
Police would not release further information about the investigation, but indicated there could be other victims. Anyone who has been sexually abused or exploited is encouraged to report it to police, and can call officers at 803-781-8088.
The 42-year-old Newbanks was taken to Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center where he was charged with seven counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, along with one count of first-degree conspiracy to commit exploitation of a minor, according to the release.
Newbanks remained behind bars at the Richland County jail after his bond was set at $50,000 on the combined charges, records show.
Dennis would not say if Newbanks could be charged with more crimes but said the investigation is ongoing.
Police confirmed that Newbanks was a candidate for Irmo Town Council in 2019. He finished fifth out of five candidates whose names appeared on the ballot with 445 votes.
In 2019 Newbanks told The State he runs Irmo Third Thursday, an event that includes entertainment, food trucks, vendors, local artists, and more at the Irmo Village Shopping Center. He said he moved to South Carolina in 1998 after studying anthropology at Arizona State University.
In 2019 he was a financial adviser with a not-for-profit company called Modern Woodmen of America.
If convicted, Newbanks faces a maximum sentence of 10 years on each third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor charge, according to South Carolina law.
Staff writer Isabella Cueto contributed to this report.
This story was originally published June 18, 2020 at 1:28 PM.
