WHITEVILLE — A reopened Special Victims Unit investigation has resulted in one of the largest sets of child‑sex‑offense charges booked in Columbus County in recent years. Jeromy Lee Blanton, 45, of Loris, S.C., was arrested Wednesday evening and is now facing more than 30 felony charges involving minors.
According to the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, the case was originally reported in 2022 but was reopened after new information surfaced. During the renewed investigation, additional victims came forward, prompting detectives to re‑examine previously collected evidence and conduct new interviews.
Blanton was taken into custody at 6:47 p.m. on June 10 and booked into the Columbus County Detention Center under ID 97378. His listed address is 7496 Highway 66, Loris, S.C. He is being held without bond on every charge.
Sweeping List of Felony Charges
Detention center records show Blanton is charged with a broad and severe set of offenses, including:
- Statutory rape of a child (multiple counts)
- Statutory sex offense with a child by an adult (multiple counts)
- Statutory sex offense with a child age 15 or younger (multiple counts)
- Incest involving children ages 13–15 (multiple counts)
- Crime against nature (multiple counts)
- Sex act by a parent or custodian
The charges span two full pages of the detention center’s media report, each marked “Felony / Awaiting Trial.” The volume of charges indicates a multi‑count warrant package consistent with an extended, multi‑victim investigation.
Scope of the Investigation
The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the Special Victims Unit reopened the case after receiving new information earlier this year. As detectives re‑examined the 2022 report, additional victims disclosed allegations, expanding the scope of the investigation.
Cases of this magnitude typically involve:
- Digital evidence review
- Forensic interviews
- Multi‑agency coordination
- Cross‑county or interstate investigative work
The Sheriff’s Office publicly thanked the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Division for assisting in Blanton’s arrest.
Due to the sensitive nature of the case, no victim details are being released.
Legal Context
Under North Carolina law:
- Statutory rape of a child typically involves victims under age 15.
- Incest with a child 13–15 is a Class B1 felony, among the most serious in the state.
- Crime against nature is a felony charge used in cases involving prohibited sexual acts.
- Sex act by a custodian applies when the accused holds a position of authority over the child.
- Statutory sex offense with a child by an adult carries a mandatory minimum active prison sentence upon conviction.
Current Status
Blanton remains in the Columbus County Detention Center without bond. All charges are listed as “Felony / Awaiting Trial.”
All individuals listed are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Charges and case statuses may change as investigations and court proceedings continue.
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