South Carolina Sports Reporter Detained on Child Sexual Exploitation Charges
Arrest of Matt Vereen
The small city of Columbia, South Carolina witnessed a shocking event last week as local sports reporter Matt Vereen, widely known for his on-air contributions at WACH Fox 57, was arrested. Authorities allegedly found child sexual abuse material involving an underage girl on his laptop. As details surrounding the 28-year-old journalist’s arrest came to light, he was charged with sexual exploitation of a minor on Wednesday and subsequently suspended from his job.
Potential Long-Term Consequences
Vereen, who was also charged with solicitation to purchase sexually explicit clips that depicted underage girls, now faces serious legal jeopardy. With three such counts against him, he could potentially end up behind bars for as long as 30 years, if convicted. The South Carolina State Attorney General’s office confirmed that Vereen has been charged with two counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, all of which are classified as felonies.
Immediate Impact and Professional Fallout
In the immediate aftermath of Vereen’s arrest, his employer issued a statement, reading, “WACH FOX News understands the severity of these allegations and Vereen has been placed on suspension pending an investigation“. They refrained from making any further comments, citing this as a personnel matter. Interestingly, Vereen was reportedly on assignment for WACH Fox 57, covering the start of the University of South Carolina’s football season just a day before his arrest.
Early Release and What Lies Ahead
The journalist, a native of Carolina and a University of Missouri graduate, managed to post a $40,000 surety bond and secure his release from custody the day following his arrest. However, the legal journey is far from over for Vereen, as the upcoming investigation and potential trial will continue to cast a shadow over his professional career.
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
