Westminster Man Arrested on Multiple Sex Crime Charges Involving Minors

Joseph Wayne Ellis, 55 from Westminster, was arrested Tuesday and is currently in jail on a $500,000 surety bond. He faces multiple sex crime charges involving two minors. The charges include three counts of 2nd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor and four counts of Criminal Solicitation of a Minor.

Joseph Wayne Ellis

The investigation began on January 30th of this year, and evidence suggests that Ellis performed sexual acts on one victim in 2019, 2021, and 2022, and solicited another victim in March of last year. If released from jail, Ellis will be required to wear an electronic monitoring device.

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation and will not release any information that could identify the victims.