Earl Darrell Linder

 

Let’s talk about Earl Darrell Linder and the problems of solicitors not taking old cases of child molestation very seriously. One of our readers has personal experience with this after she was victimized yet again by the 5th Circuit Solicitor in such a case after she reported the abuse.

Linder was charged with two counts of 1st Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct With a Minor and two counts of 2nd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct With a Minor. This sexual abuse is alleged to have occurred between 1982 and 1991. Judge Linda Lombard set his total bond at $100,000.

 

 

 

 

 

This isn’t Linder’s first time through the system. In 2008, while he was working for the Mt. Pleasant Public Services Department, he was charged with Lewd Act on a Minor, 2nd Degree Attempted CSC With a Minor and 2nd Degree CSC With a Minor. At that time a 20 year old victim had come forward and revealed abuse from the past.

As you can see from the record, the 9th Circuit Solicitor dismissed the charges of lewd act on a minor and attempted CSC with a minor. She then reduced the 2nd degree CSC with a minor to a charge of Assault & Battery of a High & Aggravated Nature. Judge Roger Young sentenced Linder to 5 years, suspended in favor of 5 years probation.

So, the 9th Circuit Solicitor dismissed two serious charges and reduced the third to a less serious charge that kept Linder off of the South Carolina sex offender registry. Way to go, Scarlett. You sure protected the children, didn’t ya?

 

 

 

 

 

The 9th Circuit Solicitor gave Linder that sweet plea deal even though he was arrested again in 2009 (while out on bond on the above charges) on a charge of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. Wilson also dismissed that charge as part of the plea deal.

Now look where we are. Anyone else sense another sweet plea deal coming down the pike?