LANCASTER, S.C. — A part-time substitute teacher at a Lancaster County high school has been arrested and charged for allegedly touching a minor in a sexual manner, according to investigators.
Deputies say Austin Truesdale, 24, is charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor in the Third Degree and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in the Second Degree for his involvement in the following incident.
Austin Truesdale
On Tuesday, February 22nd, a school resource officer at Andrew Jackson High School got information from a school administrator that Truesdale had assaulted a juvenile boy by touching him in a sexual manner.
The incident was reported to have occurred in early January 2022 at Truesdale’s home and was not related to any school activity.
Investigators say they followed up on the report by talking with witnesses, who helped confirm that the incident had occurred, as well as talking to Truesdale Thursday afternoon, after he came by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office voluntarily for an in-depth interview.
After searching through Truesdale’s cell phone, investigators say they discovered a photograph of another minor in a state of sexually explicit nudity.
Police say this photo was also unrelated to school property or activities.
After an interview with investigators, Truesdale was arrested on warrants charging him for the above two offenses and taken to the Lancaster County Detention Center.
Police say Truesdale has not yet appeared before a magistrate for a bond hearing and remains in the detention center.
Anyone with more information on this case is asked to call the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office at 803-283-3388 and ask to speak with Investigator Shane Black or Investigator Sarah Williamson.
“Sometimes we have no idea what’s going on in the shadows around us, and I’m very glad this information was brought to our attention. and we were able to quickly act
on it,” said Sheriff Barry Faile. “I commend the school personnel who heard something that didn’t sound right and immediately told us about it. Truesdale has been removed
from his position of authority and trust over our students. This investigation will continue until all avenues have been thoroughly explored. We don’t know if there are
others Truesdale has victimized, but I hope any other victims will contact us immediately.”
