SC trooper fired following child pornography investigation

A South Carolina state trooper, headquartered in Aiken, was fired Thursday following his arrest on child pornography charges.

J.M. Lillard, 39, was charged with 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, 2nd degree and four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, 3rd degree, SC Attorney General Alan Wilson said in a news release.

“Possessing contraband of this nature betrayed” the position of trust Lillard held as a law enforcement officer, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety said in announcing his termination.

Sexual exploitation of a minor 2nd degree involves either production of child pornography through filming, recording or duplicating, or creating a digital file of such material or distributing, receiving, exchanging or soliciting for such material. Sexual exploitation of a minor 3rd degree involves possessing child pornography.

A person convicted of 2nd or 3rd degree sexual exploitation of a minor can face10 years in prison per count.

Lillard had worked with the department since 1999.

Rachael Myers Lowe

This story was originally published August 13, 2015 at 6:15 PM.