Jerry Dean Heard, age 65, has pled guilty in Edgefield County to criminal sexual conduct with a minor - 1st degree. He was sentenced to 25 years. This is a no parole offense. Heard is a repeat sex offender with a 1990 conviction from Alabama for sexual assault of a child.
Eleventh Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard stated, "Our office continues to focus on these perpetrators of crimes against children. We will maintain our efforts to bring them to justice and keep our communities safe."
The trial was scheduled to begin today. The child victim, now age 8, and a witness, age 11, were present at the Edgefield County Courthouse to testify against Heard.
We thank Sheriff Adell Dobey and the Edgefield County Sheriff's Office. We also appreciate the efforts of the SC State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Child Advocacy Center of Aiken County in this investigation.
This case was prosecuted by Deputy Solicitor Suzanne Mayes and Senior Assistant Solicitor Al Eargle.