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Berkeley County Deputies Arrest Man for Criminal Sexual Conduct, Kidnapping

by Nikki Gaskins Campbell
Pictured: Thomas Powell
Pictured: Thomas Powell

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis has announced the arrest of Thomas Michael Powell, a 28 year-old Summerville resident.

Powell is charged with First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct and one charge of Kidnapping.

Authorities say that Powell is the same individual arrested last week by the Summerville Police Department for sexually and physically assaulting at least two women whom he had met online on Backpage.com.

Based on information from one of the victims, Summerville detectives identified another alleged Powell victim.

After an interview with the 26-year-old, Summerville detectives confirmed that she was another of Powell’s victims and ascertained the fact that the crime had occurred in Berkeley County. Summerville Police then contacted the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, and Berkeley County Sheriff’s detectives assumed the investigation and obtained warrants for Powell’s arrest. The 26-year-old victim stated to Berkeley County detectives that Powell first made contact with her online on Backpage.com.

Powell was served with the two arrest warrants and incarcerated at the Hill-Finklea Detention Center. Powell is scheduled to appear in Bond Court tonight on the new charges.

Berkeley County Sheriff’s Detectives are requesting that anyone with additional information pertinent to this investigation contact their local law enforcement agency or Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111.
Nikki Gaskins Campbell
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