Former firefighter accused of molesting girl
By Nadine Parks
Jesse Gene Hammet
A retired Charleston firefighter was arrested Wednesday and accused of molesting a girl more than two decades ago.
The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating whether there are other victims and needs the public's help, SLED Special Agent Bobbi Schlatterer said.
Jesse Gene Hammet, 66, of Johns Island, is charged with committing a lewd act upon a child and two counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor. Affidavits accuse Hammet of molesting the girl multiple times between 1970 and 1983.
His bond was set at $30,000. He had been out of jail on a surety bond after being arrested in 2006 on similar charges involving a different youth.
Hammet was a firefighter for 32 years, has been married 46 years and is the father of three children, an attorney said in bond court.
To provide information, call SLED at 1-803-737-9000.
Reach Nadine Parks at 937-5573 or nparks@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
charlene68 (anonymous) says...
Why are they just pressing charges now for a crime that happened 20 yrs ago? They must have alot of proof. I don't know how they are going to make that stick after 20 yrs, they have to have some good evidence, if not he will get off on that charge. It is a terrible thing and I hope he gets what he deserves, I just don't know how after 20 yrs without evidence he will be charged for that .. and again, why is it just coming out now ?
March 6, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlene68 (anonymous) says...
DanniD... you are right he is a sicko......
March 6, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
I know that I can't understand the trauma of child molestation, but I still can't see how anyone would wait over 20 yrs. before coming forward.
Is there not a statute of limitations on this crime?
On the news last night they said that another person had also come forward with allegations and that more were expected.
If he's guilty then lock him up, but if he's not an innocent man's life has been ruined.
March 6, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
His bond was set at $30,000. He had been out of jail on a surety bond after being arrested in 2006 on similar charges involving a different youth.
I take that back. He obviously is a sexual offender.
They say that these people can't be rehabilitated, so just take him out and shoot him.
March 6, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
just_a_thought (anonymous) says...
Jesse Gene Hammet....UUUHHMMM... wonder if there is any relation to the former Sheriff Deputy, Jesse Gene Hammet, accused of being a Peeping Tom last year.
But in any case this guy is a Sicko!!
March 6, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
prosperous_hb (anonymous) says...
I'm not condoning what this guy has allegedly done, but I agree with RTC. Is there any statute of limitations on these types of cases? If so, how can they even prove this happend?
March 6, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mac0cm4 (anonymous) says...
I agree that he's got problems...sick sick problems, however the ridiculous amount of time between the incident and the arrest does bring up the notion of a witch hunt. Does make you wonder about the statute of limitations - though rules are often bent for such things like this anyways.
March 6, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
If There were two cases why was he given bond so low?
March 6, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
There are so many reasons a person did not come forward but due to the nature of the crime thats why there are no set statue of limitations. I don't think there should be any statues of limitations no matter what crime you commit as well.
When I saw him on tv, he was acting like he did not understand ,like he had the Al Parish Syndrome or something.
March 6, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnS (anonymous) says...
There ought to be a limit on the time you can report a crime. The sad thing is the man is in the paper as if he is already convicted.
March 6, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
walleyedwoman1215 (anonymous) says...
ColdBeer, many firefighters go to daycares and grammar school to teach safety drills, Drop, Stop & Roll, etc. And many departments have a rotating schedule for firefighters to give station tours to children. Also, firefighters go to pediatric burn centers to cheer up young patients.
Maybe that's why the P&C emphasized his former career. BTW, I enjoy your posts!
March 6, 2008 at 7:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justintime (anonymous) says...
There is currently a teacher at James Island Charter High School who is being allowed to teach our children after he has been accused of being a sexual predator. Yet they continue to allow him to teach our children. Is that a chance we want to take with our children? What is wrong with this world?
March 6, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
To the best of my knowledge and belief South Carolina does not carry a statute of limitations on crimes.
March 7, 2008 at 6:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlene68 (anonymous) says...
I know this is the statute if you want to do a civil claim.... hold on and i will give you the statute of limitations in south carolina.....South Carolina Code §15-3-555, enacted in 2001, extends the statute of limitations for civil claims arising out of child sexual abuse to
(a) 6 years after the person reaches 21 or
(b) 3 years from the time the victim realizes that their injuries are caused by the child sexual abuse.
South Carolina also has a statutory discovery doctrine which allows claims to be brought within 3 years of the reasonable date of discovery.
March 7, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlene68 (anonymous) says...
South Carolina: No limitation for any criminal prosecution other than bad checks
March 7, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JOHNISLANDGIRL (anonymous) says...
Well I grew up with this mans daughter and I went to this house for many of years when i was a young girl and spent many of night there and NEVER did he EVER touch me in a manner that was not proper. This man has been through enough. This is a good family and I feel for there children who are adults now. I have not kept in touch with his daughter but I know this man when I was growing up was like a father to me and my my brother. i pray to god this is all not true but like I said he was always so good to me and NEVER and I mean NEVER touched me.
March 7, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Nonsense (anonymous) says...
Dorchester District 2 allows a sexual offender free run in some of their schools, which I think is awful - but this person was the son of a former school board member, so they just look the other way.
March 7, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JOHNISLANDGIRL (anonymous) says...
ALLWOMAN,
You are correst on that, and you are right and i guess just because he did not do it to me he could have done it to other woman. i am sorry that happened to you. i feel that any person male or feamle who does that to any young child should be put to death. i just dont understand one thing why in GOD's name does a person do that to a insent child? Do they not know how this affects a child.
March 7, 2008 at 3:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justintime (anonymous) says...
JOHNSISLANDGIRL,
I'm sure the victim also feels bad for his family and children. In a sence, they too are victim of this. I'm also sure that the victim wished that his actions would not effect his family in a negative way. As we know, that would only be possible in a perfect world. However, we must never excuse what his victim(s) have had to endure in having to deal with what was left after the sexual assaults at such a significant time in her life. What if the man did indeed commit such an unthinkable crime so long ago. Is it for us to put that person down and protest on his behalf making her feel even worse about the situation. Should we shame her into silence? What should his victim do? Nothing. Allow the risk of such a thing to happen to another girl as it did to her? Leaving his victim with the feeling that if it did happen to another girl, she might be partially responsible because she did not do anything or say anything about the sexual abuse. Trust me when I tell you that standing up for oneself AND others is one of the hardest things you can do in life because that to has a price. I'm sure she has been through enough as well. Trust me when I tell you that reporting Sexual Abuse is very difficult. I thanked god this morning that this man did not touch you and that you have not had to deal with the results of being sexually abused... I say none of this to chastize or critize you, only to hope that you open your mind to what the victim might be going through as well. I can be a very rough journey!
March 7, 2008 at 10:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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