News Summary
Recent arrests in South Carolina and Maine reveal a troubling rise in child sexual exploitation cases. A 77-year-old man and others face serious charges linked to possessing child pornography and sexual abuse. Authorities stress the need for vigilance and community awareness to protect children from online predators. The psychological trauma from these offenses can have lasting effects on victims, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures.
Greenwood, South Carolina — Multiple arrests made in South Carolina and Maine are linked to serious child sexual exploitation offenses, highlighting ongoing concerns about child safety in the digital age.
On July 17, Russell Wesley Waters, a 77-year-old man from South Carolina, was arrested and charged with four counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. The arrest followed a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which prompted an investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, specifically the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office. Waters is accused of possessing multiple files containing child sexual abuse material, with each charge potentially leading to a prison sentence of up to 10 years. The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, led by Attorney General Alan Wilson, will prosecute the case.
In a separate incident, Jonathan Charping, 27, from Anderson County, pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material and sexually assaulting an infant. His case also arose from a cybertip from NCMEC, which reported the upload of illicit files on May 11, 2022. Law enforcement discovered hundreds of files during a search of Charping’s residence, including a disturbing self-created video depicting the sexual assault of a 2-month-old child. He entered guilty pleas to multiple charges, including first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and two counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Charping received a sentence of 28 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections and is required to register as a Tier 3 sex offender.
Meanwhile, in Rumford, Maine, Avery Bryce Allin, 27, was arrested on a felony charge of sexual exploitation of a minor. He is accused of transmitting sexually explicit images to a child under the age of 12 while in Rumford. Following a national warrant for his arrest, Allin was apprehended by Goose Creek Police in South Carolina on June 23, and he voluntarily agreed to extradition to face charges in Maine. He was subsequently transported to the Oxford County Jail on July 10.
In a related case, Tarl Rollings, 47, was arrested in Jamestown, South Carolina, on July 18 on eight counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. His case stems from evidence linking him to child sexual abuse material. Each of Rollings’ charges is similarly punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Investigations involved multiple ICAC Task Force members, including the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.
These arrests underscore a growing trend and the urgent need for proactive measures to protect children from online predators. According to law enforcement, vigilance from parents regarding their children’s online activities is critical in preventing exploitation. The psychological trauma inflicted by these offenses can have lasting effects on victims. As investigations continue into these cases, local authorities emphasize the importance of community awareness and timely reporting of suspicious online behavior.
The high-profile nature of these cases indicates that child exploitation is a serious concern, not just in South Carolina but across the nation. Effective response and prevention strategies are vital in combating such crimes and protecting vulnerable children.
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Additional Resources
- WYFF4: Man Sentenced for Child Sexual Assault
- News Center Maine: Rumford Police and Child Exploitation
- Live 5 News: Berkeley County Man Arrested for Sexual Exploitation
- Wikipedia: Child Exploitation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Abuse
Author: HERE Greenwood
GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER The GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGreenwood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Greenwood, Greenwood County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Flowers, Greenwood Community Theatre performances, and agricultural showcases at the Greenwood County Fairgrounds. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Greenwood United Ministry, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as FujiFilm Manufacturing and Self Regional Healthcare. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
