KERSHAW COUNTY, SC (WIS) -
A Kershaw County man charged with criminal sexual conduct is facing more charges after soliciting a fellow inmate to make sure his victims didn't make it to court.
According to Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews, 25-year-old Brian Sharpe is now charged with solicitation to commit murder.
He appeared before a judge Monday and will be back in the courtroom again on new charges.
It was behind the walls at the Kershaw County Detention Center that Matthews says Sharpe hatched a plan to silence his victims, that plan backfired. That's struck fear into the family of his 8-year-old victim.
"The mother and the grandmother were terrified of this guy," said Matthews.
When investigators started looking into the allegations against Sharpe, that's when Sheriff Matthews says the phone calls started.
"He began harassing her over the telephone, following her around to different places," Matthews added.
Sharpe was arrested, and within days the Sheriff says an inmate and detention officer came forward with Sharpe's request that the inmate make sure his victims didn't make it to the courtroom.
The inmate reported Sharpe's request to jail staff, who contacted the sheriff's office. After the inmate provided a detailed statement to the investigator, the investigator and the sheriff met with prosecutors. At that time, the decision was made to charge Sharpe with solicitation to commit murder against the mother and child victim.
Sharpe was initially charged with criminal sexual conduct with a minor under 11 after family members contacted the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office after the victim told them that Sharpe had sexually assaulted her.
In these type of cases Matthews says intimidation is often a factor, but there's little law enforcement can offer for protection.
"They don't know what to do and our recommendation was, arm yourself, take a conceal weapons permit course which gives you some legal guidance on when you can and can't use deadly force to defend yourself," said Matthews.
Overcrowding at the jails and budget cuts makes bond a necessity. Sharpe's is set at $200,000, high, but still bond.
"I think this guy is a danger to the community," said Matthews.
A bond hearing will be held on July 25 on the two counts of solicitation to commit murder charges.
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Brian Sharpe (Source: Kershaw County Detention Center)
