Cory Donavan Simpson
(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------An Investigator with the Violent Crimes Unit, of the Criminal Investigations Bureau with the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, charged a Seneca man with 18 additional charges yesterday in an ongoing Child Sexual Abuse Material Investigation.
30 year old Cory Donavan Simpson was charged yesterday with 18 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – First Degree. Simpson, who was arrested initially on May 9th of this year on 15 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – 2nd Degree, and released on bond, was arrested again last Wednesday, May 17th, on three additional counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – 2nd Degree.
Since last Wednesday, Simpson has remained in the Oconee County Detention Center on a combined $300,000 surety bond on the three additional charges. At this time, Simpson has not received a bond amount on the 18 additional charges.
The 36 total charges against Simpson are the result of a continuing investigation that the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office has been conducting in cooperation with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security.
Based upon evidence that was gathered during the investigation, Investigators obtained a search warrant for Simpson’s residence, which was served on Tuesday, May 9th. Evidence also obtained during the Investigation led to probable cause being established and arrest warrants obtained.
The investigation stemmed from Cybertips received in regards to the possession and distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material by Simpson. Evidence obtained during the investigation showed that Simpson would receive images from victims. Simpson would then blackmail the victims to provide additional images in order to sell those images that he received with others.
Further investigation, which led to probable cause and the new charges being filed, indicate that Simpson knowingly coerced and encouraged minors to transmit images of themselves in a state of sexually explicit nudity, or engaged in sexual activity, with payment exchanged, in some instances, between Simpson and the minor for the images produced.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation, and due to preserving the integrity of the investigation, and that of any underage victims, the Sheriff’s Office will not release any information that could, either directly or indirectly, identify any victims.