Chesterfield man facing felony charges for child exploitation

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A Jefferson man is facing multiple felony charges after investigators say he engaged in criminal acts involving the sexual exploitation of a minor. 

Justin Reece Melton, 37, was taken into custody by the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office following an investigation that began after the minor’s mother discovered inappropriate text messages on the child’s cell phone and reported it to law enforcement. 
 
This case originally began as an investigation into another individual; however, after reviewing the minor’s cell phone, investigators determined that the minor and Melton had also engaged in a sexual relationship.

Further investigation by the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office revealed evidence indicating that Melton engaged in conduct to encourage and/or facilitate a minor in sexual activity, as well as other unlawful acts of solicitation and exploitation. 

Melton has been charged with first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, disseminating obscene material to a minor, participation in the prostitution of a minor, and criminal solicitation of a minor.

He was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held at the Chesterfield County Detention Center, awaiting bond proceedings. 

This investigation remains ongoing, and officials say additional charges may be forthcoming. 
 
The Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information related to this case or any other information regarding crimes against minors to contact the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 843-287-0235.