New Zion man charged with criminal sexual conduct with a minor younger than 11

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A 23-year-old New Zion man was granted a $30,000 surety bond June 8 after his arrest a day earlier for first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim younger than 11 years of age. According to warrants filed by the Clarendon County Sheriff's Office, Damon Demetric McClinton of 1040 Linden St., Lot 8, in New Zion, allegedly "committed the offense with a minor ... in sexual battery with a female minor child by touching her inner thigh area above her clothes and then touching her private spot under her clothes." Sheriff Tim Baxley said the incident, which happened in the New Zion area of Clarendon County, was reported by the child's mother. McClinton faces up to 15 years in prison, if convicted. A records check with the S.C. Law Enforcement Division shows no prior General Sessions record for the suspect.