Anderson, SC – On the day before jury selection was scheduled to begin, 63 year old Jasper Ashley pled guilty to Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2nd Degree. The Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced Ashley to 15 years suspended to 10 years in prison with 5 years of probation to follow.
In May of 2015, Belton police officers were called to a residence for a complaint that a 9 year old female had reported having been sexually assaulted. The child was interviewed at Foothills Child Advocacy Center where she stated that the defendant had performed oral sex on her on several occasions between March 2014 and April 2015 when the child was between 8 and 9 years old. A warrant was subsequently issued and the defendant was arrested on May 24, 2015.
“No one should be forced or intimidated into performing or having sexual acts performed on them, but it is especially egregious when the victim is a child,” stated Assistant Solicitor Kristin Reeves. “This young lady has been truly brave throughout the whole judicial process. Hopefully, knowing Jasper Ashley is in prison and with the continued support of her family and counselors she can now feel the security that children deserve and have the ability to put this in the past.”