Group organizing to oppose inmate’s release

A group is organizing to oppose the release of a former Mount Pleasant man convicted of assaulting a 17-year-old girl. The man had previously drawn notoriety for cutting an electronic monitor from his ankle and running free for more than a week.

Daniel Hanf, 29, faces a parole hearing early next year after receiving a 10-year sentence in 2008.

Andrew Kelleher, who identified himself as an associate of people connected to the case, is lobbying as a self-described “advocate for the rights of sexual assault victims” to keep Hanf behind bars. “Several people in my life have been affected by sexual assault,” he said.

Hanf’s hearing is scheduled for January, but a spokesman for the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services said because of a heavy number of cases, it probably will be bumped to April.

Hanf was sentenced to 10 years after pleading guilty in an assault on a then-17-year-old girl who reportedly had passed out drunk. He was given the maximum 10 years for assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct, and given a three-year concurrent sentence for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

In 2006, Hanf cut off his electronic leg monitor and eluded police for more than a week while awaiting prosecution in two other cases. He eventually turned himself in.

For more information, visit danielhanf.com.