Teen arrested on charges of sex with child and animal

An Anderson County, South Carolina, teenager faces more than a dozen sex charges involving children and animals, officials announced Monday.

“Detectives were alerted to this disturbing case in March when the Abbeville County Sheriff notified the agency of a cyber tip against Connor Hanks,” said Shale Remien, of the Anderson County Sheriff's Office .

Remien said Hanks, 18, resided on Revista Drive in Anderson County.

She said several cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led to a search warrant at Hanks' home.

“In April, nearly 20 devices were found inside Hanks' home, containing thousands of images of child pornography, some as young as toddlers,” Remien said. “The evidence goes beyond technology, with deputies also finding children's clothing in Hanks' space. The teen admitted to possessing and distributing the material, as well as engaging in sexual acts with the dogs of the family.”

Remien said Hanks was arrested Thursday and faces seven counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and eight counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, as well as accusation of sodomy.

Hanks is being held at the Anderson County Detention Center.

The arrest was made with the assistance of the Abbeville County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Secret Service, Remien said.