Ex-Laurens County deputy charged with assault

LAURENS, S.C. (AP) — A former Laurens County sheriff’s deputy has been arrested and charged with assaulting a woman.

The State Law Enforcement Division says 63-year-old Raymond E. Franklin was arrested Wednesday and charged with second-degree assault and battery.

Police say Franklin kissed and fondled a woman without her permission on August 2.

SLED says Franklin was booked at the Laurens County jail. It wasn’t immediately clear if he had an attorney.