Man charged with sexually assaulting child

Lexington, S.C. – A Gilbert man is accused of sexually assaulting a female child at a family gathering last weekend.

Jose Perez, 24, is charged with criminal sexual conduct with a minor and kidnapping, according to arrest warrants.

“Detectives responded to the 300 block of Redhaven Road Sunday and interviewed people who were at the gathering,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “Based on information gathered during their investigation, detectives determined Perez forced the child away from the gathering and into a van where he had sexual contact with her.”

Perez also sexually assaulted the girl in a truck on the Redhaven Road property, according to Koon.

“Everything in this case happened at the same location, the kidnapping charge stems from Perez forcing the child into the two vehicles, restricting her movements and holding her against her will,” Koon said.

Deputies arrested Perez on the scene Sunday. He’s being held in the Lexington County Detention Center.