South Carolina Sports Reporter Detained on Child Sexual Exploitation Charges

Arrest of Matt Vereen

The small city of Columbia, South Carolina witnessed a shocking event last week as local sports reporter Matt Vereen, widely known for his on-air contributions at WACH Fox 57, was arrested. Authorities allegedly found child sexual abuse material involving an underage girl on his laptop. As details surrounding the 28-year-old journalist’s arrest came to light, he was charged with sexual exploitation of a minor on Wednesday and subsequently suspended from his job.

Potential Long-Term Consequences

Vereen, who was also charged with solicitation to purchase sexually explicit clips that depicted underage girls, now faces serious legal jeopardy. With three such counts against him, he could potentially end up behind bars for as long as 30 years, if convicted. The South Carolina State Attorney General’s office confirmed that Vereen has been charged with two counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, all of which are classified as felonies.

Immediate Impact and Professional Fallout

In the immediate aftermath of Vereen’s arrest, his employer issued a statement, reading, “WACH FOX News understands the severity of these allegations and Vereen has been placed on suspension pending an investigation“. They refrained from making any further comments, citing this as a personnel matter. Interestingly, Vereen was reportedly on assignment for WACH Fox 57, covering the start of the University of South Carolina’s football season just a day before his arrest.

Early Release and What Lies Ahead

The journalist, a native of Carolina and a University of Missouri graduate, managed to post a $40,000 surety bond and secure his release from custody the day following his arrest. However, the legal journey is far from over for Vereen, as the upcoming investigation and potential trial will continue to cast a shadow over his professional career.