An Aiken man was charged Monday in connection to a 2018 investigation into a reported molestation and exposure of private parts involving a juvenile.
Samuel Antoine Cheatham Jr., 31, of the 300 block of Main Drive, is charged with criminal sexual conduct with minor, victim 11 to 14 years of age; third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, commit a lewd act; and exposure of private parts in a lewd and lascivious manner, according to jail reports.
Last June, Aiken County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to an Aiken County home and met with a complainant who claimed a female juvenile told her the suspect had "fondled" her and "exposed his genitals to her" in May, according to the report.
The complainant said she confronted the suspect about the accusations and he claimed they were false. However, the suspect decided to leave the residence after being confronted and is now living in a different home, the report states.
Investigators then spoke with the victim and asked her why she did not report the incident sooner. The victim claimed she had been afraid to tell anyone, thinking no one would believe her, police reported.
The victim claimed the first incident involving the suspect occurred in early May.
A few days later, the victim claimed the suspect assaulted her again.
She said she asked the suspect to stop, which he did, but only after a few minutes, police reported.
Following an investigation into the victim's reports, warrants were issued for Cheatham's arrest. He was located by deputies Monday and taken to the Aiken County detention center, where he was released the same day on a $35,000 bond, records show.
