News Summary
Sean Benjamin Cushman, a 29-year-old from Graniteville, has been arrested on multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. The case emerged from a report submitted to the CyberTipline, leading to the discovery of child sexual abuse material on his computer. Cushman, who is also an active-duty soldier in the U.S. Army, faces serious felony charges that could result in a lengthy prison sentence. The Attorney General’s Office will handle the prosecution, highlighting the ongoing concerns of child safety in South Carolina.
Graniteville, South Carolina — A 29-year-old resident of Graniteville, Sean Benjamin Cushman, was arrested on July 15, 2025, facing five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor (third degree). The arrest was announced by the South Carolina Attorney General. Cushman has been released on a $15,000 bond after his detention following the allegations.
Each count against Cushman represents a felony charge that could lead to a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment. The investigation that led to his arrest began when a report was filed with the CyberTipline at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. This report highlighted the presence of potential child sexual exploitation material online, prompting law enforcement to take action.
Investigation techniques employed by authorities uncovered files containing child sexual abuse material on Cushman’s computer. These files reportedly included inappropriate images and videos featuring male and female juveniles, which spurred a swift response from law enforcement agencies.
The arrest of Cushman was executed by the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, which collaborated with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to address the serious charges. The task force is dedicated to investigating crimes against children, particularly those involving online exploitation.
In addition to his local ties, Cushman serves as an active-duty soldier in the U.S. Army, assigned to the 11th Cyber Battalion within the Army Cyber Command. The army maintains a strong commitment to uphold standards of conduct and integrity among its service members and has indicated that it will support the ongoing investigation into Cushman’s actions.
The prosecution of Cushman’s case will be handled by the Attorney General’s Office, which is actively involved in combatting sexual exploitation crimes throughout South Carolina.
This incident is part of a larger trend concerning child exploitation cases. Data from the South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force reveals a significant rise in reported incidents this year. The task force has received approximately 7,555 CyberTips as of this point in 2025, marking an increase from 5,822 tips during the same timeframe in 2024. If this rate continues, the number of cyber tips is projected to exceed 12,000 by the end of the year, reflecting the growing concern surrounding child safety in the digital age.
In a related note, a separate shooting incident in Columbia County resulted in the arrest of a suspect. While these two cases are not directly connected, they underscore the urgent public safety issues facing communities in the region.
The situation surrounding Cushman’s arrest highlights the importance of continued vigilance and proactive measures in protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse, both online and offline. It also emphasizes the role of law enforcement and community agencies in addressing these critical issues.
As the investigation continues, updates will be available regarding the legal proceedings against Cushman and any subsequent actions taken by military authorities.
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Additional Resources
- WRDW: Aiken County Man Arrested
- Wikipedia: Child Exploitation
- WISTV: Aiken County Man Arrested
- Google Search: Child Sexual Exploitation
- Post and Courier: Graniteville Man Arrested
- Google Scholar: Child Sexual Abuse
- WJBF: Aiken Co Man Arrested
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Exploitation
- WFXG: Aiken County Man Arrested
- Google News: Child Exploitation
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
