CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. — A Chester County man has been charged with sex crimes involving a minor after allegedly sending lewd messages and touching the minor inappropriately.
Authorities have charged 41-year-old James McManus with Disseminating Obscene Material to a Person Under 18-years-old. and Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor Under 16-years-old. McManus was denied bond for both charges.
James McManus
The report says McManus was a family friend of the minor victim and sent nude pictures on multiple occasions from May through August of 2019. The victim’s aunt showed investigator’s two nude penis pictures that McManus sent through Facebook Messenger.
According to an incident report, the victim told authorities he began receiving sexual texts and pictures after he helped McManus with some yard work.
McManus allegedly invited the victim into his residence for tea after the minor victim helped him with the yard work. The victim told investigators McManus sat down beside him and began rubbing on his leg, before the victim got up and left the McManus’ residence.
According to the victim, about three months after the messaging began, McManus confronted him at the mailbox while the victim was checking the mail, and attempted to grab the victim’s penis. On another occasion, in August of 2019, the victim says he went to McManus’ residence to get a cigarette when McManus pulled out his penis and had the victim perform fellatio.
The victim told his family about the pictures and messages on November 19th, 2019, at which time they took him to the Department of Social Services Office. The case is still being investigated.
