News Summary
Tyrone James, a 37-year-old Aiken resident, has been arrested on serious charges including battery and child sexual crimes. The allegations involve first-degree assault, kidnapping, and criminal sexual conduct against a minor, dating back to incidents between 2017 and 2018. Authorities believe there may be more victims yet to come forward. In a related case, 29-year-old Sean Cushman has also been arrested for sexual exploitation of a minor. Both cases have raised significant concerns about child safety in the Aiken area.
Aiken, S.C. – Tyrone James, a resident of Aiken, has been arrested on multiple charges including battery and child sexual crimes. The 37-year-old faces serious allegations stemming from separate incidents, raising concerns about potential additional victims.
The charges against James include first-degree assault and battery, kidnapping, and first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. The criminal sexual conduct charge relates to an incident reported to have occurred between 2017 and 2018 that has recently come to light. According to authorities, James is accused of inappropriately touching and raping a juvenile.
In addition to the sexual crimes, James is implicated in another incident involving an altercation with his girlfriend earlier in 2024. Reports indicate that he was also accused of shooting at a vehicle containing two people in a separate, unrelated incident.
Aiken authorities, who are currently investigating additional leads, believe there may be more victims who have not yet come forward to report incidents involving James. This investigation is being supported by the Aiken Department of Public Safety, the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
In a separate but related note, another arrest has garnered attention in the area. Sean Cushman, a 29-year-old man from Graniteville, S.C., has been arrested on multiple charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and assault related to child abuse material. His arrest followed a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
During searches conducted at Cushman’s residence, investigators uncovered inappropriate videos of minors, prompting further inquiry. The investigation into Cushman’s activities was bolstered by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
While crime statistics indicate a general decline in criminal activity across the nation, including in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), these recent incidents highlight ongoing concerns about child safety and sexual exploitation in the region.
Both cases raise significant questions regarding child protection and support for potential victims. Authorities urge anyone with information related to either Tyrone James or Sean Cushman to come forward as they continue these investigations.
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Additional Resources
- WRDW: Aiken Man Accused of Assault, Child Sex Crime
- Wikipedia: Child Sexual Abuse
- Post and Courier: Graniteville Man Arrested Again for Sex with Minor
- Google Search: Child Exploitation Laws
- WRDW: Fort Gordon Soldier Faces More Sex Crime Charges
- Google Scholar: Child Sex Crime Statistics
- WJBF: Aiken Co. Man Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sexual Abuse
- Augusta Chronicle: Nude Child Photos Found on Graniteville Man’s Computer
- Google News: Child Sexual 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.
