Man guilty of ‘chronic and traumatic sexual abuse’ of child, SC prosecutor says
A man living in South Carolina will spend decades behind bars after he was recently convicted of a sex crime where a child was the victim, according to the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
On Nov. 17, Alan Rojas Santos pleaded guilty in a Lexington County court to first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, the solicitor’s office said in a news release. The 39-year-old Rojas Santos was most recently a Gaston resident, according to Lexington County court records.
Judge Brian Gibbons sentenced Rojas Santos to 50 years in a South Carolina Department of Corrections prison, according to the release.
The solicitor’s office said that Rojas Santos was guilty of a charge that South Carolina law describes as a “violent and most serious offense.” The charge is also a “no parole” offense and requires Rojas Santos to register as a sex offender, according to the release.
On Oct. 23, 2024, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a sexual assault, the solicitor’s office said in the release. The victim told investigators that Rojas Santos began sexually abusing her when she was an 8-year-old, the solicitor’s office said. The abuse spanned several years, according to the release.
“This case was one of chronic and traumatic sexual abuse of a minor that will not be tolerated in Lexington County,” the solicitor’s office said.
Rojas Santos ultimately confessed, according to the release.
No bond was set for Rojas Santos when he was arrested in March on the child sex crime, Lexington County court records show. In August, he was arrested again on an escape, attempted escape or possess tools to escape from prison, recaptured charge, according to court records.
Rojas Santos is currently being held in the Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center in Columbia after being admitted Nov. 19, South Carolina Department of Corrections records show. Although locked up, the charge from Rojas Santos’ August arrest is pending, according to court records.
The case was investigated by the sheriff’s department and prosecuted by Assistant Solicitor Whitney Taylor. Lexington attorney Judah VanSyckel was listed as Rojas Santos’ lawyer, court records show.
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.
