Lexington County man charged with sexually assaulting child at party, cops say
A South Carolina man was arrested on multiple charges after the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department said he sexually assaulted a child.
On Monday, Jose Perez was arrested on felony charges of criminal sexual conduct with a minor under 11 and kidnapping, jail records show.
The 24-year-old Gilbert resident remained behind bars after his bond was denied, according to jail records.
The crimes occurred at a party last weekend in the 300 block of Redhaven Road, the sheriff’s department said in a news release. That’s near the intersection with U.S. 1/Augusta Highway.
After interviewing witnesses, investigators determined “Perez forced the child away from the gathering and into a van where he had sexual contact with her,” Sheriff Jay Koon said in the release.
Perez also sexually assaulted the girl in a truck on the property, according to Koon.
“Everything in this case happened at the same location, the kidnapping charge stems from Perez forcing the child into the two vehicles, restricting her movements and holding her against her will,” Koon said.
If convicted on the criminal sexual conduct with a minor under 11 charge, the maximum punishment Perez would face is life in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years, according to South Carolina law. A kidnapping conviction would mean a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, according to South Carolina law.
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.
This story was originally published September 1, 2020 at 1:41 PM.
