Shocking Allegations: Bluffton Police Officer Charged with Felony Sex Crime

Shocking Allegations: Bluffton Police Officer Charged with Felony Sex Crime

In Bluffton, South Carolina, the community is reeling from the news of a local police officer charged with a serious offense. Harvey Makenzie Bethea, a 35-year-old officer who was employed at the University of South Carolina Beaufort Police Department, was arrested on Wednesday morning facing a felony charge of criminal solicitation of a minor. This charge stems from allegations that he attempted to persuade a 16-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity.

Details of the Investigation

According to an affidavit from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Bethea reportedly employed the teenage girl at his home while he and another person were working. The specifics of the job she was doing remain classified in the documents. Between March 13 and March 20 of this year, Bethea made several visits to his residence, where he allegedly asked the girl what she would do in exchange for a puppy. This seemingly innocent question soon took a disturbing turn.

When the girl suggested she could buy the puppy herself, Bethea is said to have directly asked her for sex. To make matters worse, he told her he would perform sexual acts on her if she felt uncomfortable reciprocating. Such propositions reportedly continued over the course of several days until the victim finally decided to stop working for him and reported the troubling events to law enforcement on March 21.

Background of the Officer

Bethea’s background raises even more questions. He began working as a police officer at the University of South Carolina Beaufort in October 2021, but he resigned this past February, shortly after an internal investigation was completed regarding his conduct. This investigation was prompted by a report from a female student who had an ‘interaction’ with him during a traffic stop.

A month-long internal inquiry uncovered evidence of at least 14 law and policy violations linked to Bethea’s behavior in late 2023 and early 2024. Notably, one troubling incident involved Bethea using his emergency lights to run a red light, drawing further scrutiny to his actions while in uniform.

Current Legal Status

After his arrest, Bethea was booked into Beaufort County jail. However, just under two hours later, he was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond. This means he did not have to pay bail cash but is required to appear for upcoming court dates.

Being charged with criminal solicitation of a minor is serious; the law defines it as an adult communicating with a person under the age of 18 to “persuade, entice, or coerce” them into engaging in sexual activity, which could lead to a prison sentence of up to 10 years. The community is understandably disturbed by these allegations and is eagerly awaiting how the situation unfolds in court.

Community Reaction

Residents of Bluffton have expressed their shock and disbelief at the accusations against a member of their police force, highlighting the need for accountability, especially in cases involving minors. Many are left wondering how someone entrusted with law enforcement duties could engage in such actions, adding to a broader discussion on the conduct of police officers and the importance of maintaining public trust.

As this story develops and the court hearings approach, many in Bluffton will be watching closely to see what justice looks like moving forward. The situation serves as a reminder of the critical need for trust and responsibility within law enforcement, as well as the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals in our communities.