Darrell Scott Brooks (Anderson County Sheriff’s Office)
A good Samaritan interrupted the attempted sexual assault of a South Carolina college student by a convicted sex offender recently released from prison, authorities said.
Darrell Scott Brooks, 57, is facing a litany of charges including kidnapping, grand larceny and assault with the intent to commit criminal sexual conduct, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies say Brooks asked the Clemson University student for a ride at an off-campus apartment complex late Tuesday, telling her he worked at the school and his car had “broken down.”
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As she drove the man toward campus, Brooks allegedly forced her to pull into a church parking lot where he attacked her with a “folding razor blade knife” before pinning her down. A good Samaritan happened to be driving by and heard the woman yelling for help. The woman was able to escape with the help of the good Samarian. Brooks then allegedly stole the woman’s vehicle and took off.
Deputies from the neighboring Oconee County Sheriff’s Office saw Brooks crash in the Seneca area after fleeing from them when they tried to conduct a traffic stop, authorities said. They then took him to the Oconee County Detention Center. Clemson University officials are in contact with the student to make sure she has the resources she needs during the recovery process.
Cops did not release further details.
“Protecting the integrity of this investigation is paramount in providing justice for this victim,” deputies said.
According to the sheriff’s office, Brooks was “just released from a heavy sentencing in the spring.” Brooks is listed as a sex offender in the South Carolina registry. It shows he was convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in November 2003. The Post & Courier newspaper reported that during the incident he held a woman captive for 15 hours, sexually assaulted her and threatened to kill her with a knife.
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