Fired Winthrop University Officer Charles Eugene Price Arrested For Sexual Battery Of Minors

A former Winthrop University police officer has been arrested and charged with three counts of criminal sexual conduct with a child.

WYFF 4 reported Charles Eugene Price of Rock Hill, South Carolina was arrested on Oct. 16 for attacks against a victim under the age of 11-year-old and a 14-year-old.

Price was fired by Winthrop University from his position on the campus police department on the day of his arrest.

The Herald reported Price’s charges stem from incidents that took place in 2007, 2008, and 2015, none of which took place on the school’s campus.

Following his arrest, the college released a statement claiming they have not received any complaints about Price during his employment at Winthrop University.

“Human Resources is not aware of any employment-related complaints or disciplinary actions associated with Mr. Price,” the statement said.

According to the arrest warrants, Price allegedly beat and gagged a 14-year-old with a belt while committing sexual battery on the minor. When the child cried out, Price hit the victim and told them to shut up.

Since a police officer is being charged with the assault of minors, York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson has asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to take over the investigation.

Under South Carolina law, Price could be sentenced up 90 years if convicted on all three charges.

After being booked at the York County jail, Price was denied bail and was later transferred to another county jail in South Carolina pending his trial date.