Kyle Wayne Way, of Greenwood, was found guilty today by a Saluda County Jury for sexually assaulting a minor child on multiple occasions. Way, age 32, was convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor – 3rd degree.  Circuit Court Judge Walton J. McLeod IV imposed the maximum sentence of 15 years in prison after the four-day jury trial. Upon his release from prison, Way will be required to register as a sex offender and active electronic monitoring.

Eleventh Circuit Assistant Solicitor Robert E. McNair, III, who prosecuted the case, stated, “This conviction was only possible because of the strength and bravery of the survivor in this case. This sex offender is now behind bars and out of our community. We are grateful to see justice served today.”

The Saluda County Sheriff’s Department began an investigation on October 13, 2017, after receiving a report of sexual assaults committed against the young victim, who was thirteen (13) at the time. Investigators executed search warrants on two cell phones used to facilitate communication between the victim and the Defendant recovering evidence corroborating the sexual assaults.

The victim testified at trial and was present in court for sentencing. The victim provided a written statement during the sentencing which stated, “He wanted me to be scared of him for the rest of my life, but after all this, after I testified, I proved him wrong.”

This case was prosecuted by Assistant Solicitors McNair and Melanie Darko on behalf the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Captain Josh Price with the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation of this case and remarked, “The Sheriff’s Office is committed to working with the Solicitor’s Office in making these cases a priority and keeping our children safe.”

Way is being transferred to the South Carolina Department of Corrections to immediately begin service of his prison sentence.