Ex-security guard at Beaufort Co. school charged with sexual battery of a student
A former May River High School security guard was charged with sexual battery of a student without aggravated force or coercion after allegedly having sex with a 16-year-old student, according to an arrest warrant from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
The agency also charged the man, Austin Taylor Thompson, 29, with contributing to the delinquency of a minor after he allegedly allowed the student from the Bluffton-area school to have access to his handgun. Thompson was booked into the Beaufort County Detention Center just after 6 a.m. Thursday. He remained in custody as of Thursday afternoon, according to the jail log.
If convicted of the felony charges, Thompson could serve up to five years in prison, according to South Carolina law.
Thompson was employed by Coastal Security Services and contracted to provide indoor security for the Bluffton-area high school, according to the arrest warrant and a statement from the Beaufort County School District.
Thompson allegedly had sex with the student three times during after-school hours and not on school grounds between Oct. 4, 2025 and Oct. 23, 2025. He also allegedly gave the student access to his firearm in the back seat of his car while “in the presence of other juveniles,” according to the affidavit.
Beaufort County schools message to parents
The Beaufort County School District sent a message to parents at May River High School on Thursday, informing them that the contracted security guard had been charged. That message was relayed to The Island Packet by BCSD spokesperson Candace Bruder.
“Dear May River High School Families- We are writing to inform you that a former contracted security guard at May River High School, Austin Taylor Thompson, who was employed by Coastal Security, has been charged by SLED with Sexual Battery with a Student 16 Years of Age and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor,” it said.
“Because this individual was employed by an outside vendor and there is an active law enforcement investigation, the district is unable to share additional details. We understand this news may raise concern, and we are taking the matter seriously while cooperating fully with law enforcement.”
The school district encouraged those with information to contact SLED.
This story was originally published April 9, 2026 at 5:13 PM.
