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.
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