Bluffton man charged in sexual assault of child under 16, jail log shows
Editor’s note: As of February 2026, the case was no longer searchable on the Beaufort County Public Index; a letter from the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office to Farmer’s attorney reviewed by the Island Packet said the charges have been expunged.
A 31-year-old Bluffton man was arrested on Saturday and accused of sexually assaulting a young child at his home in Old South, according to the Beaufort County jail log.
Stephen Matthew Farmer faces one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor less than 16 years of age.
Farmer is accused of sexually assaulting a victim in his home between August and September 2019, according to Bob Bromage, spokesperson with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
Farmer was arrested by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office at 6:51 a.m. Saturday and booked into the Beaufort County Detention Center.
He posted the legally-required 10% of his $75,000 bond four hours later and was released, according to the jail log.
Third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor is a felony and can carry a penalty of 15 to years to life in prison.
This story was originally published January 18, 2020 at 12:09 PM.
