Taylor Judson Hutcherson
(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------A Mill Spring, NC man remains in jail today, on a combined $36,345.00 surety bond, after his arrest in a sexual assault investigation.
35 year old Taylor Judson Hutcherson, of Highway 108 E., was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center around 7:50am Monday. In all, Hutcherson has been charged with one count each of Criminal Sexual Conduct – Third Degree, Indecent Exposure, Assault and Battery – 3rd Degree and Public Disorderly Conduct.
A deputy from the Uniform Patrol Bureau was dispatched to Lakeside Circle, which is near I-85 in Fair Play, Sunday evening in regards to reports of a disturbance. The Deputy made contact with Hutcherson and the victim, who is an adult female.
According to information obtained during the investigation, the victim stated that she had been walking with Hutcherson from Atlanta, GA to Greenville, SC. The pair had stopped in Oconee County to get some food and water, around 4:30pm Sunday, at a convenience store on S. Highway 11. After purchasing their items, which included a bottle of wine, the pair walked back towards I-85 and set up a camp in some woods next to a business close to the Interstate.
During the course of their stay there, Hutcherson inappropriately touched the victim sexually. Hutcherson also reportedly picked up a stick and attempted to hit the victim. The victim ran to the nearby business in order to call law enforcement.
As the investigation continued, the Deputy made contact with Hutcherson, who has naked, walking around, and yelling at the time of the Deputy’s contact with him. The Deputy also observed Hutcherson to be belligerent and under the influence of alcohol.
Paramedics arrived on scene for a health check on both Hutcherson and the victim. The victim was transported to the hospital for further medical evaluation and treatment.
Hutcherson was issued tickets on the charges of Public Disorderly Conduct and Assault and Battery – 3rd Degree.
According to the arrest warrants obtained by the Deputy for Indecent Exposure and Criminal Sexual Conduct – Third Degree, Hutcherson exposed himself in a public place or property within a full view of a heavily traveled highway. Hutcherson also used force and/or coercion to accomplish the sexual battery against the victim. According to the arrest warrant, the crimes occurred on Sunday.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation. Due to the nature of the crime, and for health privacy and safety reasons, the victim’s name will not be released nor any information about her condition. Also, South Carolina law prohibits the release of the name of a victim of a sexual assault.