Rec Sports
Former Clemson professor new charges
A now-former professor at Clemson University is facing more sexual abuse charges in Anderson County, South Carolina, according to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.We first told you about the charges against 46-year-old Jeffrey Douglas Townsend in April. At that time, he was facing 10 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.The sheriff’s office announced […]
A now-former professor at Clemson University is facing more sexual abuse charges in Anderson County, South Carolina, according to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.We first told you about the charges against 46-year-old Jeffrey Douglas Townsend in April. At that time, he was facing 10 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.The sheriff’s office announced Thursday morning that Townsend is facing 10 additional charges of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.According to the sheriff’s office, Townsend served as a sports management professor at Clemson University and is a resident of Anderson County.During the investigation it was discovered that Townsend used an app to access a chatroom, where evidence shows thousands of lines of communication pertaining to inappropriate material revolving around children.Detectives uncovered and connected Townsend to more than 20 uploads of child pornography starting in November 2024.The Criminal Investigations Division began looking into the case back in February when a digital tip was received through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).After a thorough investigation on April 16, ACSO worked in partnership with Clemson University Police to arrest Townsend. The sheriff’s office said a judge granted Townsend a $50,000 surety bond Thursday morning. The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office will prosecute this case.Clemson University released a statement shortly after Townsend’s arrest was announced in April. According to Townsend’s profile on Clemson’s website, he was a graduate of the University of Illinois before playing wheelchair basketball professionally in Australia and Spain. Before teaching at Clemson, he worked as a faculty member in the athletic departments of both Brigham Young University and the University of Mississippi. Townsend also spent time coaching youth sports.
A now-former professor at Clemson University is facing more sexual abuse charges in Anderson County, South Carolina, according to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.
We first told you about the charges against 46-year-old Jeffrey Douglas Townsend in April.
At that time, he was facing 10 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
The sheriff’s office announced Thursday morning that Townsend is facing 10 additional charges of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
According to the sheriff’s office, Townsend served as a sports management professor at Clemson University and is a resident of Anderson County.
During the investigation it was discovered that Townsend used an app to access a chatroom, where evidence shows thousands of lines of communication pertaining to inappropriate material revolving around children.
Detectives uncovered and connected Townsend to more than 20 uploads of child pornography starting in November 2024.
The Criminal Investigations Division began looking into the case back in February when a digital tip was received through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
After a thorough investigation on April 16, ACSO worked in partnership with Clemson University Police to arrest Townsend.
The sheriff’s office said a judge granted Townsend a $50,000 surety bond Thursday morning.
The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office will prosecute this case.
Clemson University released a statement shortly after Townsend’s arrest was announced in April.
According to Townsend’s profile on Clemson’s website, he was a graduate of the University of Illinois before playing wheelchair basketball professionally in Australia and Spain. Before teaching at Clemson, he worked as a faculty member in the athletic departments of both Brigham Young University and the University of Mississippi. Townsend also spent time coaching youth sports.