South Carolina Sports Reporter Arrested for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor
Columbia, South Carolina’s Sports Journalist, Matt Vereen, Faces Charges
Published Aug. 26, 2024
28-year-old sports journalist, Matt Vereen, known for his on-air role at WACH Fox 57, was arrested last week for sexual exploitation of a minor. According to prosecutors, the local South Carolina reporter was caught with explicit, illicit material featuring an underage girl, later discovered on his personal laptop.
Details of the Charges
Authorities allege that Vereen had in his possession a disturbing image of an underage girl between 11 to 13 years old on his Apple computer, as cited by the arrest warrant. Furthermore, he faced accusations of soliciting the purchase of two different near-90-second sexually explicit video clips involving naked girls, approximately 13-years-old, in July 2023.
In a statement released by WACH Fox 57 in the aftermath of Vereen’s arrest, the station acknowledged, “WACH FOX News understands the severity of these allegations and Vereen has been placed on suspension pending an investigation,”.
Legal Consequences
Vereen was indicted on two counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, constituting felonies as established by the South Carolina State Attorney General’s Office. Notoriously, the journalist could be facing up to thirty years of incarceration if found guilty.
A Career in Jeopardy
The journalist was last seen on the job just a day before his arrest, covering the University of South Carolina’s football season kickoff. A University of Missouri alumni and a Carolina native, Vereen reportedly posted a $40,000 surety bond and was released from jail a day following his arrest.
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
