Townville Man Arrested Late Last Week on Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor Charge

Michael Matthew Banks

(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------A Townville man remains in jail today, on a $25,000 surety bond, after his arrest late last week on a charge of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor – Third Degree.

37 year old Michael Matthew Banks, of Newland Road, was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center on December 13th at around 6:49pm after being transported from the Greenville County Detention Center.

The Sheriff’s Office investigation began on November 13th after a Deputy from the Uniform Patrol Bureau responded to an address on Little Choestoea Road, near Westminster, in reference to a report of a sexual assault on a minor.

The Deputy was informed that Banks had inappropriately touched a minor, who is a child, back on October 18th of this year.  The investigation was turned over to a Violent Crimes Investigator with the Criminal Investigations Bureau. 

Based upon evidence that was obtained during the investigation, it was determined that Banks had inappropriately touched the child on the date in question.  The incident involved only one victim.

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation.  Banks will be required to wear an electronic monitoring device, as a condition of bond, should he be released from jail.

Due to the nature of the crime and the victim being a minor, the Sheriff’s Office will not release any information that could, either directly or indirectly, identify the victim in this case.