WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Bond set for teacher accused of sex with underage girl

Bond set for teacher accused of sex with underage girl

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - A 47-year-old school teacher in Richland County was arrested Wednesday on a charge that he had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl.

Bond was set at $100,000 surety Thursday for Mark Edward Craft after the man was arrested on his 47th birthday and charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

Deputies say the incident took place last Friday at his apartment in the St. Andrews community.

An arrest warrant alleges that on Friday, September 26, the 15-year-old girl went to Craft's apartment and had sex with him.

Detectives say Craft met the girl by exchanging text messages through an informal social networking site.

Sheriff James Metts says in a text message that she received on her phone, the girl told deputies that Craft told her that he was only 16 and wanted to meet her.

Then, in a text message that Craft received, the girl told deputies that she invited Craft to her Bishopville home.

Craft drove to Bishopville on Friday, picked up the girl at her home and drove her to his apartment, Metts said. The girl told deputies that she arrived at Craft's apartment at about 6:30pm on Friday.

The girl told deputies that she played card games with Craft, drank alcohol and had sex with him throughout the night.

At about 3:11pm on Saturday, September 27, the 15-year-old girl walked out of Craft's apartment and called for help, Metts said.

Craft is a math teacher at Crayton Middle School in Richland County School District One. He was being held on Thursday at the Lexington County Detention Center while awaiting a bond hearing.

District One spokesperson Karen York said Craft will be placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the district's investigation.

Metts said the case remains under investigation, and that detectives might file additional charges against Craft.

Under South Carolina law, third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor is a felony that carries a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison.

Thursday Craft was forbidden to have any contact with the victim or use the Internet at all. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 20.

A Richland One spokesperson tells WIS News 10 Craft is currently suspended with pay. The spokesperson also said there is no indication so far Craft has had inappropriate conduct with any Richland One students.

Metts asked anyone with information about additional incidents in which Craft might have interacted inappropriately with children in Lexington County to call the Lexington County Sheriff's Department at (803) 785-8230 or CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

Reported by Jack Kuenzie

Posted by Bryce Mursch