February 12, 2015

California Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Prison and 25 Years of Supervised Release for Traveling to South Carolina to Have Sex with 15-Year-Old

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that on Tuesday Charles Henry Ross, age 29, of San Diego, California was sentenced to 180 months and 25 years of supervised release for a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2423(b), traveling in interstate commerce with the intent to have illicit sexual contact with a minor. United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten of Columbia imposed the sentenced.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that the defendant, Charles Henry Ross, traveled from California to South Carolina for the purpose of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old in Lexington County. Ross had been communicating with the 15-year-old for several months before he purchased a ticket and flew to South Carolina. The 15-year-old boy’s parents found Ross at their home, then notified Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. In imposing the sentence Judge Wooten agreed with the Government and the defense that the crime was very serious and warranted an upward departure of 3 levels of the sentencing guideline, arriving at the agreed upon 180 month sentence.

Mr. Nettles stated the case showed the cooperation between the United States Attorney’s Office, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, the FBI and the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office in the identification and prosecution of sexual predators.

The United States Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case in conjunction with the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. The case was investigated by agents of the FBI and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney James (Jim) Hunter May of the Columbia prosecuted the case.