Hartwell Man Charged in Oconee County, SC With Sexual Assault of Minor

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Hartwell, GA man Thursday on a charge of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor – 3 rd Degree.

49-year-old Timothy Edwin Carnes of Hart Terrace was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center around 8:59 pm Wednesday.

Carnes was transported from the Hartwell, GA Police Department to the Oconee County Detention Center by a deputy from the Warrants Division.

A deputy from the Uniform Patrol Division responded to a report of a person with a weapon in the parking lot of a business on Highlands Highway near Mountain Rest during the evening hours of June 19 th , 2021. As the deputy began and continued the investigation, he received information that Carnes reportedly had touched a teenager inappropriately at the Low Water Bridge Campsite.

The deputy spoke with a family member of the victim who had pointed a firearm in the parking lot of the business at Carnes. Carnes told the deputy that he declined to press charges against the family member. An Investigator from the Criminal Investigations Division was notified and continued the investigation into the allegations made against Carnes.

As a result of the evidence obtained during the investigation, it was determined that Carnes inappropriately touched the teenager at the Campsite in June of this year. An
arrest warrant was obtained against Carnes.

At this time, Carnes remains in custody at the Oconee County Detention Center on a $50,000 surety bond. Carnes will also have to wear an electronic monitoring device, as a condition of bond, should he be released.

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation. In order to preserve the integrity of the investigation, and that of the victim, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office will not release any information that could in any way potentially identify the victim in this investigation.