Teen charged with sex trafficking, sexually abusing child, Richland Co. sheriff says
The search for a missing child led to the arrest of a Columbia teenager on multiple sex crime charges, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department said Tuesday.
Daniel Korbin Sterling Thomas, 19, was arrested after a Monday standoff with deputies who were looking for the missing child, the sheriff’s department said in a news release.
After being notified the child was in a home in the 400 block of Seton Hall Drive, deputies said they responded to the residence at about 3:30 a.m. That’s near the intersection of Hard Scrabble Road and Clemson Road.
Thomas was taken into custody after he eventually came out of the home, according to the release.
Information on how long the standoff lasted was not available, but no injuries were reported.
The missing child was found inside the home, the sheriff’s department said. Further information on the child’s condition was not available.
Thomas was taken to Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, where he was charged with sex trafficking, two counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor (11-14 years old), and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to the release.
The teen remains behind bars after his bond was denied, jail records show.
This is the first time Thomas has been charged with trafficking, according to Richland County Court records. If convicted on the charge, Thomas faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, according to South Carolina law.
Thomas faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on each charge of criminal sexual conduct with a minor, and three years in prison and a $3,000 fine for the contributing to the delinquency of a minor charge, according to S.C. law.
The sheriff’s department said more arrests are possible.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREThis is a breaking news story
In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.
