Two charged with sex offenses

Published 7:39 pm Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Sandie Bland

Sandie Bland

 

A Washington man and woman have been arrested and charged with sex offenses against minors.

According to a press release from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, Sandie Lea Bland, 36, of Terrapin Track Road, and John Durrin Baker, 73, of Lodge Road, were arrested for the alleged crimes: Baker, on July 2; Bland, on July 13.

The sheriff’s office first heard of the case from the Beaufort County Department of Social Services—possible child abuse at a residence on Terrapin Track Road, the release said. That was in February of this year. After a months-long investigation, Inv. Jim Adams turned up information about sex offenses involving juveniles that had visited Bland’s Terrapin Track Road home, though the actual offenses occurred on Lodge Road.

“These offenses occurred over several days at the residence while these children were staying at her residence,” said Maj. Kenneth Watson, spokesman for the sheriff’s office.

Bland was charged with two counts of sexual servitude of a child, overage person aiding/abetting the sale of alcohol, selling or delivering a controlled substance to a minor, selling or distributing a tobacco product to a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Watson described the first charge against Bland as “allowing a sex offense to be perpetrated against a minor for some type of personal gain.”

Baker was charged with two counts of indecent liberties with a child.

Watson said two separate children were involved in the case.

Both Baker and Bland were released from the Beaufort County Detention Center after posting bond.

A photo of Baker was not available at the time of publication.