Hanahan Man Charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Thomas A. Peterson, 49, of Hanahan on three counts involving the sexual exploitation of a minor. 

He was assigned a surety bond of $75,000, and ordered to not have contact with children under age 17; stay away from the Internet and electronic devices such as cell phones, computers and electronic gaming devices; and remain at least one-half mile away from areas where children congregate, such as daycare facilities, schools, libraries, playgrounds and public parks.    

The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, a member of the Attorney General's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, made the arrest. 

On Feb. 25, a Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office undercover detective downloaded files containing child pornography from an Internet Protocol address ultimately traced to the suspect’s residence. Officers executed a search warrant at the residence on March 26 and seized several items, including three computers and other electronic devices. A preliminary examination of the computers revealed evidence of child pornography.    

Peterson was arrested on April 3 and charged with three counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor second degree, a felony offense punishable by two to 10 years imprisonment on each count. The case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office.