Hidden camera leads to more than 20 charges of sexual exploitation of minors

AIKEN, SC (WRDW/WAGT) – A man was arrested Tuesday and charged with more than 20 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in Wagener, the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office said.

According to the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a home in Wagener on July 15 for suspicious activity.

The complainant told officers that the suspect, identified as Anthony Joseph Silva, 54, of Lexington, had been allowed to reside at the residence for the past several months.

According to officers, the complainant found a wireless camera that was being used as a charger in the teen’s bathroom.

The complainant also told officers that Silva was scheduled to work that night, but he suspects he didn’t go to work because he knew the teenage daughter was there, authorities said.

According to officers, Silva’s phone was seized at the scene.

Silva was arrested on Aug. 27 and charged with 20 counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and nine counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, jail records show.

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