Former Jasper County Fire Rescue Deputy Director Charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor

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Former Jasper County Fire Rescue Deputy Director Charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor

By James Seidel | Crime and Cask News | Broken Badges Series

WALTERBORO, S.C. — A former high-ranking Jasper County Fire Rescue official has been arrested and charged with criminal sexual conduct with a minor, according to public records and officials.

Darran Wayne Vaughn, 60, of Walterboro, was taken into custody on March 18 by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. He was booked into the Beaufort County Detention Center and later released after posting bond around noon the same day.

According to a sheriff’s report dated March 17, a female victim reported that Vaughn sexually assaulted her more than 20 years ago when she was a minor. The alleged abuse occurred in Beaufort County. The report did not include the specific ages of the victim or Vaughn at the time of the alleged incident, and the case remains under active investigation.

In South Carolina, there is no statute of limitations for felony-level criminal sexual conduct with a minor. This means that criminal charges can be filed at any time, regardless of how many years have passed since the alleged offense occurred.

Vaughn was employed with Jasper County Fire Rescue for the past three years, most recently serving as Deputy Director. His employment was terminated on the morning of March 18 following his arrest.

“Shortly after learning of the situation, the county took immediate and decisive action Tuesday morning,” said Jasper County Fire Rescue Chief Russell Wells in a statement.

No additional details about the allegations have been released. Authorities are encouraging anyone with further information to contact the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

This case is part of Broken Badges, a continuing Crime and Cask News series investigating misconduct and abuse among those in public service roles.