A Lexington County jury convicted Edward Davis, Sr., 60, of criminal sexual conduct with a minor – third degree, Wednesday.

The case involved a child under the age of 16. The trial began on Monday, and concluded Wednesday morning, according to a release from the office of Eleventh Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard. The jury deliberated for 24 minutes prior to finding Davis guilty. He was sentenced to seven years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. The sentence was imposed by Circuit Court Judge Eugene C. Griffith, Jr. This conviction is classified as a violent offense and Davis will have to register as a sex offender.

Eleventh Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard stated, “Our work to protect children in our community remains a primary focus. It requires a high level of commitment from our prosecutors, staff, law enforcement, and in this case, our first responders.” Hubbard further commented, “The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in the courtroom.”

On July 12, 2016, Davis inappropriately touched a minor in his care. Davis fainted a short time later. Medical responders arrived and he told first responders that the reason he fainted was because of what he had done. The quick thinking of these first responders resulted in the minor disclosing to law enforcement the details of what occurred. Davis willfully and lewdly committed a lewd act upon the body of a child under sixteen years of age, with the intent of arousing his sexual desires. At trial, the victim testified regarding the sexual assaults made by Davis. During sentencing, the victim expressed to the Court that Davis took away the innocence the victim once had.

We commend the work and trial preparation of Detective Hayli Livingston-Hoover with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department who conducted the investigation of this case. Our office is also extremely grateful to the Lexington County Fire Services and Lexington County Emergency Medical Services. These first responders testified during the trial and played a major role in obtaining this conviction. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Solicitors Sutania Fuller and Kate Usry of the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office.