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Berkeley County Deputies Arrest Firefighter for Criminal Sexual Conduct with Minor

Pictured: Michael Smart (Courtesy: Berkeley County Sheriff's Office)
Pictured: Michael Smart (Courtesy: Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office)

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–According to Berkeley County deputies, 34-year-old Michael Smart of Moncks Corner has been charged with criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

Jail records show that he was arrested on Thursday.

Deputies say that an investigation into the allegations first began in May 2013.

In the incident report, the victim’s father told officers that he allowed his young daughter, who was reportedly friends with Smart’s children, to spend the night at his home on Hard Pinch Road in the Cordesville area.

The report states that while at Smart’s home, the alleged victim told her father that Smart would fondle her and make her perform oral sex on him.

The victim claims that Smart wouldn’t let her have any food or water until she did what she was told, the incident report reads.

The reported victim was around five-years-old when she claims the incidents took place.

Smart is a paid firefighter for the Isle of Palms, Fire Chief Ann Graham confirms. She added that Smart is currently on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Graham says she learned of the arrest on Friday, which is when Smart was placed on leave.

He’s been with the department for a little over a year, Graham stated.

As of Monday, Smart remains behind bars at the Berkeley County Detention Center.

Smart is presumed innocent unless convicted in a court of law.

 

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