Month: January 2023

01/07/2023

For Immediate Release:

Brett Barwick, Captain

Pickens County Sheriff’s Office

Brettb@co.pickens.sc.us

Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Conducting Investigation into Shooting Incident

On 01/07/2023, deputies with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call regarding a disturbance at a residence on Crest Way in Easley, South Carolina.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered an unresponsive adult female who had succumbed to an apparent gunshot wound.

The incident is under investigation by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and the Pickens County Coroner’s Office. All parties have been identified and are cooperating with the investigation. No arrests have been made at this time.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

###

01/05/2023

For Immediate Release:

Chuck James, Chief Deputy

Pickens County Sheriff’s Office

Chuckj@co.pickens.sc.us

Pickens Man Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material and Related Charges:

On 12/20/2022, Special Victim’s Unit detectives with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, who are members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, initiated an investigation into allegations of sexual exploitation of a minor reportedly occurring in a Pickens home.

Detectives received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), leading them to Lewis Matthew Hardenbrook. 

According to detectives, Hardenbrook reportedly engaged in criminal sexual conduct with a minor and produced multiple files of child sexual abuse material.  

On 12/21/2022, Lewis Matthew Hardenbrook (age 34) of Pickens, S.C., was apprehended.

In custody:

Hardenbrook, Lewis Matthew (age 34)

Charges:

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, First Degree (2022A3910200135)

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, First Degree (2022A3910200136)

Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Third Degree (2022A3910200137)

Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Third Degree (2022A3910200138)

Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Third Degree (2022A3910200139)

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, First Degree (2022A3910101269)

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, First Degree (2022A3910101270)

Investigators with the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and Oconee County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation.

###