An Anderson County man, well known in the community through law enforcement and education, has been arrested and is facing possible jail time for an alleged child sexual abuse crime.
Anderson County Sheriff’s Office Detectives have charged Gregg Hayden, 48, with Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor Third Degree and Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor Second Degree after an interaction at the end of July.
Hayden is a former member of the Anderson County School District 1 Board of Trustees. He was appointed to the AD1 School Board by the Anderson County School Board in April of this year to fill a position after another board member resigned. According to reports, he resigned his position as a Board member last week.
He also served as an Anderson School District 5 School Safety and Security Supervisor since Feb. 2024 after retiring as a former lieutenant with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.
Hayden turned himself in to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office last Thursday morning. In a bond hearing held later that day, the judge set a $100,000 surety bond and GPS monitoring. Hayden’s preliminary trial will be held on Oct. 30.
The investigation shows Hayden and the child are not related, however know each through a church mentorship program. According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, on July 30th, Hayden picked up the child to play basketball when nearby drivers say they witnessed signs of sexual abuse unfolding in the truck.
ACSO Public Information Officer Shale Remien said, “Protecting children is paramount to all ACSO deputies and detectives did not hesitate to uncover evidence and facts surrounding this case.”
“It doesn’t matter what position you have held in the past or what position you currently hold, if you abuse a child we are going to do everything in our power to seek justice for any child victim,” Sheriff Chad McBride said.
