Berkeley Co. Sheriff’s Office Conducts Joint Investigation Leading to Arrest of Sex Offender | Community news

Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis announced the arrest of a Ladson man who is being investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC).

Charles Anthony Garris, 55, of Craven Road, was arrested and charged with eight counts of second-degree minor sexual exploitation and one count of violating the sex offender registry.

On April 25, Berkeley County investigators, along with investigators from the ICAC Task Force consisting of Homeland Security, the U.S. Marshal Service, the U.S. Secret Service, the FBI, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, SLED and Nassau County, Florida, executed a search warrant at a residence on Craven Road in the Ladson section of Berkeley County. The search warrant resulted from CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and a preliminary investigation by the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation revealed that Garris was the suspect who sent and received child sexual abuse material.

Garris is currently on the Berkeley County Sex Offender Registry.

Garris was arrested and charged based on evidence collected during the search warrant and investigation. Garris’ bond was set at $402,100.

The investigation is ongoing and further criminal charges are expected from various authorities.