SLED charges former private high school security guard with sexual battery with student

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - A former private security guard assigned to May River High School has been arrested and charged with sexual battery involving a student, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

SLED announced Thursday that Austin Taylor Thompson, 29, has been charged with sexual battery with 16-year-old and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was booked into the Beaufort County Detention Center following the arrest.

The case will be prosecuted by the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

The investigation began after a request from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, SLED said.

According to a warrant affidavit, investigators allege that between Oct. 4 and Oct. 23, 2025, Thompson had sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old student from May River High School in Bluffton.

At the time, Thompson was working as a private security officer for Coastal Security Services, which was contracted to provide on-site security at the school. Investigators allege he knew the victim was a student and that he held a position of authority over them due to his role on campus.

In a separate allegation, investigators say Thompson also contributed to the delinquency of a minor on Oct. 4, 2025.

The warrant says Thompson allegedly provided a gun to the 16-year-old student after school hours in the presence of other juveniles. The warrant also states the teen had access to Thompson’s handgun in the back seat of his vehicle.

Thompson faces charges under South Carolina law for both sexual battery involving a student and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.