(Walhalla, SC). Richard Rittmayer pled guilty today in Oconee General Sessions Court to Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 3rd Degree. The Honorable Letitia Verdin sentenced Rittmayer to the maximum sentence of 15 years. He will receive credit for time served. The defendant will be on the Sex Offender Registry as well as the DSS Central Registry.
In September of 2014, the Walhalla Police Department received a report from James M. Brown Elementary that a 4-year old student had disclosed sexual abuse to a school district staff member. A forensic interview of the child revealed that Rittmayer had sexually abused the child in July 2014. The defendant was interviewed and confessed to law enforcement that the incident had occurred while he was drinking heavily and taking pills.
“Richard Rittmayer’s actions were sick and twisted,” stated Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “Being under the influence of drugs and alcohol does not justify his actions. The victim in this case deserves justice and with today’s guilty plea this defendant will spend the next decade and a half in prison. We hope that that this young child will now know that she is safe and Rittmayer cannot hurt her any more.”