COLUMBIA, S.C. — A Midlands man has been arrested on sexual exploitation charges.
The South Carolina Attorney General's Office announced Friday agents had arrested 28-year-old Matthew Turner Vereen, a sports reporter with WACH-TV in Columbia.
Vereen is accused of the distribution and possession of child sexual abuse materials. He's charged with two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, second degree and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, third degree. Each charged carries a possible sentence of 10 years in prison.
According to an arrest warrant, investigators found explicit material involving minors in Vereen's home.
WACH FOX released a statement on their website saying, "WACH FOX News understands the severity of these allegations and Vereen has been placed on suspension pending an investigation. As this is a personnel matter, the station will not be commenting further at this time."
Vareen was given a $40,000 cash surety bond and the judge allowed him to pay 10 percent. He has been released from jail.
The case will be prosecuted by the South Carolina Attorney General's Office.