Seven charges against Pickens man in sex crime probe

Alan Wilson, the state attorney’s general, announces the arrest of a 34-year old Pickens man in a case of child sexual abuse material and related offenses.  The seven charges against Lewis Matthew Hardenbrook, Wilson said, are connected to the sexual exploitation of minors.  Internet investigators with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest.  Investigators say they received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which led them to Hardenbrook.  The arrest took place December 21.  Charges against Hardenbrook are criminal sexual conduct with a minor third degree and sexual exploitation of a minor first degree.  Assisting in the investigation was the Oconee Sheriff’s Office, a member of the state Internet Crimes Against Children task force.