Charleston County Deputy Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges
A Charleston County Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested and taken into custody on Wednesday afternoon in connection with charges of sexual crimes involving children. Master Limited Duty Deputy Darren R. Kerner, a Class 3 Limited Enforcement Officer, is facing 10 counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
Deputy Kerner, who has been employed with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office since May 2003, was arrested by the Charleston Police Department. The charges stem from an ongoing investigation into Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC), a specialized task force that investigates online exploitation of minors. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Kerner is under investigation for activities related to this task force.
Charleston County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Mark Ruppel confirmed the arrest, stating that the department is fully cooperating with the Charleston Police Department as the investigation continues. Sheriff Carl Ritchie also released a statement expressing the agency’s strong stance against such actions. He emphasized the Sheriff’s Office’s commitment to maintaining high standards of accountability and integrity within the department.
“This is a serious matter, and we will not tolerate actions of this nature, especially within our own agency,” Sheriff Ritchie stated. “We are dedicated to ensuring full accountability and will work closely with all relevant agencies to support the investigation.”
The incident has shocked the community, as Kerner, who had been with the Sheriff’s Office for over two decades, was trusted to serve the public in a law enforcement capacity. The charges against him have raised significant concern regarding the abuse of trust and the need for strict oversight within law enforcement agencies.
As of now, Kerner remains in custody, and further details about the investigation and potential additional charges are still pending. The Charleston Police Department is leading the investigation, and additional updates will be provided as the case develops.
