Pickens Man convicted for Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor

A Pickens man must serve 30-years behind bars for criminal sexual conduct with a minor. Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor Walt Wilkins announces that a Pickens County jury convicted 29-year-old Justin Ryan Cone of criminal sexual conduct with a minor in the first degree. The Honorable William Keesley sentenced Cone to 30-years with at least 85% of his sentence served before he is eligible for parole. Evidence presented at trial showed that over the course of several years, Cone sexually assaulted a minor child less than 11-years of age. Cone was friends with the parents and spent a great deal of time at the child’s house. The abuse was revealed when the child’s mother noticed the child behaving strangely. The mother contacted the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, and an investigation ensued.