(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office obtained arrest warrants late last week against a Walhalla man, who was already in jail, on multiple child sex crime charges.
Back on February 28th of this year, 21 year old Brian Lance Ramey was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center on 11 charges obtained by the Walhalla Police Department. Ramey was given a combined $550,000 surety bond on those charges.
Last Friday, March 15th, a Violent Crimes Investigator with the Sheriff’s Office obtained 23 arrest warrants against Ramey (one count of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor – Second Degree, two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – First Degree and 20 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – Third Degree) in regards to a separate Sheriff’s Office investigation.
On February 28th, the Violent Crimes investigator from the Sheriff’s Office received a call from an Investigator from the Walhalla Police Department. The Investigator from Walhalla PD, while conducting his investigation, transferred custody of Ramey’s cell phone to the Sheriff’s Office in regards to reported child pornography on the device. A search warrant from Ramey’s phone was obtained.
Based on evidence that was obtained during the investigation, it was determined that Ramey had child pornography on his device, including child pornography that was manufactured by Ramey. The Violent Crimes Investigator was able to identify a victim, a child, which led to the Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor charge.
At a bond hearing, a Judge denied bond on the 23 Sheriff’s Office counts against Ramey. Ramey will appear at a later time, before a Circuit Court Judge, in regards to his bonds on those charges.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation. In order the preserve the integrity of the investigation, and that of any minors who are involved, the Sheriff’s Office will not release any information that could, either directly or indirectly, identify any minors.