Three Lexington County men arrested on child sex abuse material charges – WIS News 10

Report on Law Enforcement Actions in Lexington County in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

This report details the arrests of three individuals in Lexington County, South Carolina, on charges related to child sexual abuse material. These law enforcement actions represent a critical measure in combating child exploitation, an objective directly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The operation underscores a commitment to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by enforcing laws that protect children and ensuring perpetrators are held accountable.

2.0 Incident Details and Subjects

The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office confirmed that three men from Lexington County face a total of six felony charges for sexual exploitation of a minor. The arrests were the result of an investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

1. Trey Leviticus Sullivan, 33: Arrested on October 10 and charged with two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Investigators report that Sullivan distributed child sex abuse material.
2. Brandon Dwayne Bailey, 35: Arrested on October 13 and charged with three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in the third degree. Investigators report that Bailey possessed child sex abuse material.
3. Rashaud Mandrell Price, 25: Arrested on October 16 and charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor in the second degree. Investigators report that Price distributed child sex abuse material.

3.0 Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The investigation and subsequent arrests are fundamental to achieving several global development targets aimed at protecting vulnerable populations and strengthening institutional integrity. The actions taken directly support the following SDGs:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This case is a direct implementation of Target 16.2, which calls to “end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.” The collaborative work of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and the SC Attorney General’s Office demonstrates the development of effective, accountable, and transparent institutions (Target 16.6) to promote the rule of law.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: By working to prevent and prosecute child exploitation, authorities contribute to Target 3.4, which seeks to promote mental health and well-being. Protecting children from the severe and lasting trauma of abuse is essential for ensuring they can lead healthy lives.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: These efforts align with Target 5.2 to “eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including…sexual and other types of exploitation,” as girls are disproportionately affected by such crimes.

4.0 Investigation and Legal Status

The investigation was initiated by electronic tips and involved inter-agency cooperation. All charges are felony offenses, with each count punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

• Investigative Origin: The ICAC Task Force with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department initiated the investigation after receiving CyberTipline reports.
• Inter-Agency Collaboration: The Sheriff’s Department was assisted by ICAC investigators from the SC Attorney General’s office.
• Current Bond Status:
  • Trey Leviticus Sullivan: A $50,000 bond was set; he remains in custody at the Lexington County Detention Center.
  • Brandon Dwayne Bailey: Released after posting a $45,000 bond.
  • Rashaud Mandrell Price: Released after posting a $50,000 bond.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The primary Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) addressed in the article is SDG 16, which focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article’s entire focus is on the justice system’s response to crime. It details the arrest and charging of three individuals for “child sex abuse material charges” and “sexual exploitation of a minor.” This directly relates to the goal of ensuring justice, combating crime, and protecting vulnerable populations, specifically children, through strong law enforcement and legal institutions like the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, several targets under SDG 16 are clearly identifiable:

1. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • The article directly addresses this target by reporting on law enforcement actions against individuals charged with “sexual exploitation of a minor.” The crimes involve the possession and distribution of “child sex abuse material,” which are severe forms of child abuse and exploitation. The arrests represent a direct effort to stop these activities and hold perpetrators accountable.
2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • The article demonstrates the rule of law in action. It describes a formal legal process where suspects are identified through investigations (“CyberTipline reports”), arrested by law enforcement (Lexington County Sheriff’s Department), and formally charged by a legal authority (South Carolina Attorney General’s Office). The mention of felony offenses and potential prison sentences of “up to 10 years in prison per charge” underscores the application of established laws to address these crimes.
3. Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions… to build capacity at all levels… to prevent violence and combat… crime.
   • The article highlights the role of specialized and collaborative institutions. The “Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC)” is mentioned as the key investigative body. The text also notes that “Investigators with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department were assisted by ICAC investigators with the SC Attorney General’s office,” showcasing inter-agency cooperation and the institutional capacity built specifically to combat this type of crime.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains several implied indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified SDG targets.

• Number of arrests and formal charges for child exploitation: The article provides a specific number: “Three Lexington County men have been arrested on a total of six child sex abuse material charges.” This quantitative data serves as a direct indicator of law enforcement’s effectiveness in identifying and apprehending individuals involved in child exploitation, measuring progress towards Target 16.2.
• Functioning of specialized crime units and reporting mechanisms: The article’s reference to the “Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force” and its use of “CyberTipline reports” implies the existence and operational success of systems designed to report and investigate these specific crimes. This serves as a qualitative indicator of the institutional strength mentioned in Target 16.a.
• Prosecution of crimes against children: The fact that the individuals were charged with “felony offenses” and face significant prison time indicates that the justice system is actively prosecuting these crimes. The number of such prosecutions can serve as an indicator for Target 16.3, showing that the rule of law is being applied to protect children.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: wistv.com