Upstate man accused of blackmailing minors faces over 70 charges

WALHALLA, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office said a Seneca man was recently charged with additional crimes in an ongoing child sexual abuse material investigation resulting in 71 total charges.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, on Monday, 30-year-old Cory Donovan Simpson was charged with 18 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor first-degree. Simpson was arrested initially on May 9 for 15 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, second-degree, and released on bond. Simpson was taken into custody again on May 17, on three additional counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, second-degree.

On May 26, deputies announced that Simpson was charged with 35 more counts of sexual exploitation of a minor first-degree

Deputies said since May 17, Simpson has remained in the Oconee County Detention Center on a $2.95 million bond.

The Sheriff’s Office said deputies began investigating after officials received cybertips in regard to the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material by Simpson. Deputies stated that Simpson would allegedly receive images from victims and then blackmail them to get more. They added that he would then reportedly sell the images.

Based on the evidence, investigators obtained a search warrant for Simpson’s home and arrest warrants shortly after the search.

Besides the arrest warrants from the Sheriff’s Office, Simpson was also served an arrest warrant by the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services for a probation violation.

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office said they are continuing their investigation with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security.

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