78-Year-Old Kidnapped And Sexually Assaulted by Neighbor, Say Police

SUMTER, S.C. (WOLO) – Sumter County Sheriff Deputies arrested a Dalzell man Wednesday after he allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 78-year-old female Tuesday night.

Edward Earl McElveen, 66, has been charged with being a felon in possession of a weapon; criminal sexual conduct, 1 st degree and kidnapping. As the investigation continues, more charges could be filed.

This isn’t McElveen’s first brush with the law, authorities said he was charged with kidnapping back in 2005 and registered as a sex offender in Sumter back in December. A criminal history check revealed that he was a convicted felon who is not allowed on be in possession of a weapon.

According to authorities the victim was abducted from her own home after allowing her next door neighbor in for a meal.

“From my understanding he knocked on the door requesting food, and she let him in,” Sheriff Anthony Dennis said.

An evening that started out normal took a turn for the worst when McElveen pulled out a gun.

“He ask to use the restroom and when he came out he had the weapon and taped her up,” Dennis said. “He taped her arms and hands up and then he sexually assaulted her.”

Dennis said the 12 hour torture started at the victims house and then she was assaulted again at McElveen’s home.

“She received some abrasions to her facial area, from my understanding there were bruises to indicate that she may have been chocked as well,” Dennis said.

The victim was able to get away and escape to a neighbor’s home Tuesday morning where she contacted authorities around 10:30 a.m.

“She was able to remove the tape from her wrist and there was still some duct taped to her wrist when we located her at the home,” Dennis said.

Deputies said the victim and McElveen were acquaintances so she was able to identify him as her attacker. The victim suffered numerous cuts, abrasions and bruises during her ordeal. She was taken to a local hospital and treated for her injuries.

Sumter Deputies say the registered sex offender was captured along a roadway and arrested without incident.

“McElveen was asked to provide a DNA sample and refused, invoking his right to an attorney,” Deputy Ken Bell said. “However, since he is on the state’s sex offender list, his DNA is on file with SLED already.”

He will have a first appearance hearing Friday at 2:oo p.m. at the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.