Man who sexually assaulted incapacitated teen gets maximum sentence, solicitor says

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A man on trial for sexually assaulting a teenager four years ago has been sentenced to ten years in prison.

Rick L. James, 60, was convicted of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree on Thursday by a Charleston County jury.

His victim testified during the trial that she was visiting the defendant’s 14-year-old daughter at their home in 2020 when the two were served “copious amounts of alcohol.”

The victim – 17 at the time – said she became sleepy and either passed out or fell asleep on James’ bed because there was no other place to lie down in the small apartment.

She woke up hours later while being sexually assaulted. The victim testified that she was so incapacitated that she was unable to control her body or voice to stop the assault and leave the room.

The young victim told the first adult she encountered. That adult immediately sought help.

When confronted about the sexual assault, James told law enforcement that he had “never touched that little girl.” However, the man’s DNA was found in the victim’s clothing and during a medical exam.

The victim told Judge Roger Young that she has been “chained to the traumas [the defendant] put her through” for the four years the case has been pending, while James was out on bond. She did not feel he was sorry for committing the assault and felt that if given the chance to walk freely “he would do it again.”

Judge Young handed down the maximum sentence under the statute which is 10 years.

“Too many times we see adults look the other way when a young victim tells her story. We are grateful for the outcry witness who did all the right things in getting this girl the help she needed,” said Solicitor Wilson.