UPDATED: Aiken County Sex Offender Arrested

By Randy Key

Published: October 8, 2008

Aiken, SC., October 8—According to Lt. Michael Frank, the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) holds a warrant for the arrest of a Jackson man, who failed to register as sex offender and failed to notify ACSO of his change of address.

Thomas R. Rhoden Jr., 34, of the 5100 block of Trotter Court, inJackson, South Carolina, will be charged with Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

In March 1993, Rhoden was convicted of Lewd Act Upon a Minor. He registered with ACSO as a sex offender in May 2008, but failed to return for bi-annual registration. In addition, Rhoden failed to notify ACSO within 10 days of establishing a new residence.

Failure to register is a misdemeanor punishable by 90 days in jail, no part of which may be suspended. A second offense also is a misdemeanor and carries a mandatory one year in prison. Third or subsequent offenses are felonies and carry a mandatory five years in prison. Offenders failing to register three or more times must serve a minimum of three years in prison.

In addition, individuals have 10 days to notify the Sheriff in writing of any change of address.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of this individual is asked to contact the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office: (800) 922-9709. Visit the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division for a complete listing of sex offenders living in Aiken County: http://www.sled.state.sc.us.

UPDATE: Thomas Rhoden, Jr. surrendered to Aiken County Sheriff’s Office deputies Wednesday afternoon.