Kadarian Rasheem Smith, age 19, was given a lengthy prison sentence following his conviction for the home invasion, attempted strangulation, and sexual assault of a 65 year old female which occurred in the Batesburg area on April 6, 2016. 

Smith entered a plea earlier today in Lexington County General Sessions Court to Attempted Murder, Criminal Sexual Conduct – First degree, and Burglary – First degree. Circuit Court Judge Eugene C. Griffith, Jr. imposed concurrent sentences of thirty (30) years on each charge. These crimes are classified as violent and are “no parole” offenses.

The case was prosecuted by 11th Circuit Deputy Solicitor Suzanne Mayes and Assistant Solicitor Marie Sazehn.

The crime occurred in a section of Batesburg that falls within the jurisdiction of Aiken County. However, by agreement of the parties, the prosecution of the case was handled by the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office in Lexington County.

Smith was arrested by investigators with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office as a result of information which identified him as the assailant. The victim was attacked in her home in the early morning hours after Smith knocked on her door. Smith then forced his way into the residence and physically assaulted the victim by striking her in the face and placing his hands around her neck. The victim was choked until she became unconscious. The investigation determined that the victim was then dragged outside of her home to an area located approximately 100 yards away. Duct tape was placed over the victim’s mouth and she was sexually assaulted. The victim was left outside for several hours until she was discovered by a neighbor after daylight. The victim was transported by EMS to Aiken Regional Hospital and underwent medical treatment for several days.

The victim’s purse was stolen from her home during the crime. In a recorded interview with investigators, Smith admitted to assaulting the victim and then dragging her outside. Smith led investigators to the location of the victim’s purse, which he concealed in a wooded area behind his own home.

Investigators surveyed the crime scene and observed distinct shoe patterns in the sand alongside the drag marks. A later search of Smith’s home led to the recovery of tennis shoes with the same unique shoe pattern. Investigators also located the victim’s night clothes and pieces of duct tape with visible blood stains which had been concealed inside of a pump house near the scene. 

At the sentencing hearing, the victim detailed the long term-impact of the crime. Her statement expressed, “I fear the night. That night he didn’t just take my purse, he took my dignity, my security, the good I want to see in people. He tried to take my life.”

Smith will be transported to the S.C. Department of Corrections to begin service of his sentence immediately.