Jasper County Sheriff’s Office makes arrest in ongoing child exploitation investigation

JASPER COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - Friday, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO)Special Victims Unit and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) conducted a search warrant and five arrest warrants at a residence in Ridgeland, South Carolina.

The operation was part of an ongoing investigation into Luis Manuel Chavez Severiano, 48, who was wanted on five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor to the second degree.

During the search, investigators found cocaine and fraudulent documents like fake permanent resident cards, social security cards and passports.

Severiano was taken into custody and booked into Jasper County Detention Center.

He also now faces multiple charges related to the illegal items found at the residence.

JCSO thanked SLED for their assistance in helping move this case forward.