Investigators say convicted sex offender 56-year-old Wayne Atkinson of Robin Lane in Mayesville committed the violent sex act sometime during the period of July 24 to August 18th in a bedroom at the man's home.
SLED investigators say Atkinson's girlfriend,dropped the child off at Atkinson's home under his care, knowing that he is a convicted sex offender.
They say Atkinson is also a former deputy with the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the agency that brought the case to SLED.
According to a news release from SLED, Atkinson threatened the young girl if she told anyone what had happened. They say he used police equipment and tactics during the violent act to intimidate the child.
According to South Carolina law, it is illegal for any felon, including convicted sex offenders, to purchase or have possession of a firearm.
Atkinson is charged with first degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. His girlfriend is charged with unlawful conduct towards a child.
Atkinson was charged in 1994 for criminal sexual conduct with a minor of younger than 11 and committing or attempting a lewd act on a minor of younger than 16.
