ROCK HILL, S.C. — A former Winthrop University police officer has been arrested and charged for alleged criminal sexual conduct with juveniles dating back to 2007, according to officials.
Charles Eugene Price has been terminated from his job with the Rock Hill-based University, university officials confirmed, and is facing a total of 52 charges.
"I think it's really scary especially because those are the people who are supposed to be protecting us and helping us," said student Nikki Delissio.
On October 16, Price was arrested by officers from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). He was initially charged with two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct with Minor under 11 years of age first-degree and Criminal Sexual Conduct first-degree.
SLED has since charged Price with 49 additional charges related to the investigation. Officials told WCNC Charlotte Price is accused of having "multiple" victims.
Price has been charged with:
- 9 counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct with Minor under 11 years of age first-degree
- 13 counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct with Minor victim 11 to 14 years of age second-degree
- 8 counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct third-degree
- 1 count of Kidnapping
- And 18 other charges, bringing the total number of charges to 52.
Winthrop University officials said the university police department was informed by SLED in late September that an open investigation involved Price.
"Upon being notified of the open criminal investigation and due to the seriousness of the allegations, the police officer was immediately relieved of his badge, credentials, and duty weapon," a university spokesperson said in a statement. "Subsequently, the police officer was placed on suspension without pay and escorted off Winthrop University property."
On October 16, SLED informed Winthrop University Police Department they had obtained arrest warrants and he was taken into custody. At that point, he was 'immediately terminated' from his position. WUPD will also seek to have his law enforcement certification suspended and withdrawn.
Between 2007 and 2008, Price is accused of engaging in a sexual battery with a child under the age of 11, according to warrants. In that same time period, he is also accused of having a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old.
As with most sex crimes, the exact age or other identifying information about victims are not publicly released.
Price, who was known at Winthrop as "Chuck," was terminated by the school's police department on the same day he was arrested, October 16. He was initially hired in November 2004 as a police officer, according to a school spokesperson. He was promoted to sergeant in 2011 before resigning in February of 2014. He was rehired in December 2018 and was employed as a sergeant until his termination.
Officials said Price also worked at the Fort Mill Police Department from Feb. 2014 to Nov. 2017 and the Clover Police Department from Nov. 2017 to December 2018.
A university spokesperson said while SLED pursued its criminal investigation, WUPD conducted an Internal investigation.
"At this time, neither WUPD’s Internal Affairs investigation nor SLED’s criminal investigation, has uncovered any evidence that these criminal incidents occurred on Winthrop University property or as part of the former police officer’s official duty as a law enforcement officer," the university spokesperson said in a statement.
Since being suspended, Price has not been allowed on campus or any Winthrop University-owned property. Since being terminated, he was issued a trespass warning notice from the campus police department banning him from Winthrop University property.
"WUPD and Winthrop University want to assure the public that upon being initially notified of the situation, swift action was undertaken to ensure the continual safety and protection of the campus and the community," a Winthrop University spokesperson said in a statement.
Price has been denied bail and is in custody in Lancaster County.
MORE ON WCNC CHARLOTTE: