Charleston Police Announce Arrest in Sexual Assault, Trafficking of Teen
Charleston, S.C. - Charleston Police are announcing the arrest of a Charleston man accused of sexually assaulting and trafficking a teenage girl.
David William Hollars, 55, of Palm Cove Drive in Charleston, was taken into custody Monday, April 24, by CPD officers and detectives with the assistance of Charleston County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Attorney General’s Office. He is charged with one count of Trafficking in Persons, Victim Under 18, and three counts of Criminal Sexual Assault with a Minor 2nd Degree.
Hollars was arrested and booked into the Hill-Finklea Detention Center in Berkley County on April 24. He will be transferred to the Al Cannon Detention Center to face additional charges with Charleston County Sheriff’s Office stemming from the investigation.
In late March, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office received a report of the crimes from a parent of the now 15-year-old victim. The ensuing investigation determined the incidents crossed into the jurisdiction of the Charleston Police Department as well.
Detectives with the Charleston Police Department discovered the victim was 14 years old when she met Hollars through a social media phone application. Hollars exchanged correspondence with the victim, including sexually explicit content. Detectives also learned that Hollars met with the victim multiple times for sexual activity and provided money or gifts in exchange for sexual contact.
Charleston Police Deputy Chief Jack Weiss said, “Thanks to the hard work of our detectives and partners in doing a thorough investigation, a predator has been exposed. Let this serve as an example that we are absolutely committed to the safety of our children, and we will not tolerate their exploitation. We’re thankful this survivor came forward and is getting the justice she deserves.”
Charleston County Sheriff’s Office will provide information regarding its charges against Hollars.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the on-duty CPD central detective at (843) 720-2422. Anyone with information who wishes to remain anonymous is asked to contact Lowcountry Crime Stoppers at (843) 554-1111.
Committed to Truth, Transparency, and Timeliness Lt. C. Taylor ● Sgt. E. Wolfsen ● Insp. Michael Gillooly ● Sgt. L. Mixon ● Sgt. C. DuBose Facebook: Charleston Police Department ● Twitter: @charlestonpd ● Instagram: @charlestonpolicedepartment
