Wellford Police Officer Charged with Abuse of Vulnerable Adult

A Wellford police officer has been charged with allegedly abusing a vulnerable adult.

Bennie Brandon Hand, 32, has been charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct — Third Degree, Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult and Misconduct in Office.

According to warrants signed by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Hand allegedly engaged in sexual battery of a vulnerable adult between July 1, 2012 and Jan. 1, 2013, with a woman that he knew that had a mental disorder. Hand did so while serving as an officer for the City of Wellford.

Each offense is a felony in South Carolina. If convicted, Hand could face a 10 years in prison on the criminal sexual conduct charge, up to five years on the charge of abuse and up to 10 years for misconduct in office.

SLED began investigating at the request of Wellford Police.