Lexington, SC (Paul Kirby) – Rodney Jerome Furtick, age 51, a repeat sex offender, was sentenced to the maximum sentence of 20 years incarceration after a trial in Lexington this week. The jury found him guilty of Criminal Sexual Conduct – Second Degree. This crime is a South Carolina “no parole” offense.
Eleventh Circuit Senior Assistant Solicitor Rhonda Patterson stated, "Our work to protect the citizens of our community remains our key focus. In this case, this defendant has repeatedly preyed upon vulnerable victims.” Patterson further commented, “The victim in this case demonstrated remarkable courage and this sentence delivers the justice that she deserves."
The Cayce Department of Public Safety (DPS) began an investigation in 2015 when they received a call of a sexual assault in the Julius Felder Street area of Cayce. When officers arrived, they found a twenty-year-old victim who reported that she had been sexually assaulted inside of her home. The victim had been home alone with her one-year old child at the time. She was immediately referred to local hospital for a sexual assault examination. Evidence collected was then sent to the S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED) for forensic analysis.
SLED agents from the state crime lab testified regarding the process of their testing and DNA analysis in the case. In 2016, SLED developed a DNA profile from the evidence recovered. The DNA profile was entered into the SLED CODIS database and was a match to Rodney Furtick, a registered sex offender. As a result of the database hit, the Cayce DPS obtained a search warrant for DNA swabs from Furtick. Those swabs were tested by SLED and determined to be a match to the evidence collected after the assault. The probability of the DNA match was verified to be one in 17 quintillion. Following the confirmation of the DNA match, Furtick was arrested for criminal sexual conduct in this case.
The victim testified during the trial regarding the sexual assault and the threats made against her by Furtick. During the sentencing hearing, Judge Addy heard details regarding Furtick’s extensive criminal history. Furtick’s prior record includes a conviction for Committing a Lewd Act Upon a Child in 1988. This crime placed Furtick on the Sex Offender Registry. Furtick also has convictions for Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature in 2006; Burglary – Third degree in 2010; and two counts of Assault and Battery – 2nd degree in 2012. In addition, Furtick has numerous convictions for drug offenses and larcenies.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Solicitor Rhonda Patterson and Deputy Solicitor Suzanne Mayes of the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office. The case was investigated by Lt. Jason Merrill and Sgt. John Reese of Cayce DPS. At sentencing, Lt Merrill requested that Furtick receive the maximum sentence based upon his prior record of violence and the multiple crimes he has committed in the Cayce area.
Furtick will be transported to the S.C. Department of Corrections to begin immediate service of his sentence.
