CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – Horry County has filed a response to a lawsuit brought against the Horry County Police department with claims from a woman who says she was sexually assaulted for six months by a detective assigned to her case.
A woman alleges in a court document that an Horry County Detective assigned to her case sexually assaulted her for six months.
The documents allege the now-former detective used his power as an officer, including showing his gun and badge, to make the victim afraid to report the assault.
According to the court document, the victim, who is only identified as “Jane Doe” claims a detective, who is also not identified, sexually assaulted her from January 2014 to May of 2014. These “unwanted sexual advances” came after the detective was assigned to the woman to investigate a sexual assault she reported in December of 2013, according to the court document.
The court document claims the sexual advances occured during some time periods on a daily basis. It also claims at least one sexual assault happened in an Horry County Police vehicle.
Jane Doe claims an unnamed source told her the detective had done this to other women he was supposed to help in other cases. She goes on to claim the Horry County Police Department knew, or at least should have known, its detective engaged in unwanted sexual advances and assaults and claims they failed to take any action.
The court document says Jane Doe is entitled to compensation for both actual and consequential damages.
In response to the allegations, Horry County responded with a statement in January.
“The county is in receipt of a copy of the complaint, which will be reviewed and processed by the legal department and responded to within the time set forth by our court rules. It is county policy not to provide any commentary on substantive matters relating to pending litigation.”
Court documents filed more than a month later on Horry County’s behalf say there is not enough information available to know whether the alleged victim’s claims are true. Therefore, the county is currently denying any wrongdoing took place by the accused detective.
Attorneys for Horry County also allege in the response that the “negligence and recklessness” of Jane Doe exceeded that of the defendant.
Thom Berry with SLED confirms agents are investigating a former Horry County Detective in regards to this case. However, would not give any further details.
