LANCASTER, S.C. — South Carolina Law Enforcement Division stated that agents charged Justine Jay Hatfield, 34, of Heath Springs, with two counts of criminal solicitation of a minor.
Hatfield, who was a former Lancaster Police Department school resource officer, was familiar with the victim and knew the victim was under the age of 18, according to the warrant.
On May 13, Hatfield was “knowingly communicating with (the) victim during a live, Instagram video chat session while performing the sexual activity,” the warrant states.
The video was recorded and a copy was given to SLED.
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Hatfield was identified by law enforcement officers who knew him, the warrant stated.
The victim said the live video chat with Hatfield took place while they were at home in Lancaster.
The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office requested SLED to investigate this case. Hatfield was booked at the Lancaster County Detention Center.
He has not been employed with Lancaster Police since April 4. Officials said Hatfield was the events manager for the City of Lancaster, and his last day was Thursday, the day after SLED released the warrants.
Statement from Lancaster Police Department:
“On Friday, May 13, 2022, a complaint was presented to the Lancaster Police Department against a then former officer. Other officers of the Lancaster Police Department were able to identify the suspect as a former police officer and immediately notified command staff with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office took over the complaint and the investigation. The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office then turned the case over to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Any further inquiries into this case and the charges against the former officer should be referred to SLED. Anyone with any information about this case should contact SLED, or send in tips through Midlands Crimestoppers by calling 1-888-274-6372 or visiting midlandscrimestoppers.com.”
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