Florence County deputies charge man with 8 counts of criminal sexual conduct

Florence County deputies have charged a 44-year-old man with eight counts of criminal sexual conduct.

Vance Ross of Timmonsville was arrested on Wednesday and charged with eight counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of committing a lewd act upon a child under 16, according to department spokesman Major Michael Nunn.

Ross was arrested following a nearly year-long investigation, Nunn said.

Ross is accused of engaging in sexual battery with multiple child victims ranging in ages from four to eight years old, Nunn said. Investigators say Ross allegedly engaged in sexual battery over a period of time beginning December 2009 through July 2014.

Ross is being held at the Florence County Detention Center.