South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced on April 27 the arrest of Brandon James Higley, 40, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, who faces five charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The York County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force led the investigation and arrest, with assistance from investigators in the Attorney General’s Office.
The case began after investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Authorities said that this report led them to Higley, who was found to be in possession of files containing child sexual abuse material. Higley was taken into custody on April 14 and charged with five counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Each count is classified as a felony offense and carries a potential sentence of up to ten years in prison.
The Attorney General’s Office will prosecute the case. Wilson said, “All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.” The press release also clarified that child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is now used as a more accurate term than “child pornography,” as it better reflects the abusive nature of these crimes.
The South Carolina Attorney General supports victims through advocacy and resources aimed at community safety according to the official website. The office operates as South Carolina’s primary legal advocate and enforcer by handling prosecutions and regulatory matters according to the official website. Alan Wilson has served as head of this office according to the official website.
The jurisdiction extends across all regions within South Carolina according to the official website, enforcing laws related not only to criminal cases but also securities regulation and consumer protection according to the official website. Collaboration with state law enforcement agencies and solicitors is central for criminal prosecutions managed by this office according to the official website.
