A Darlington County man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a sexual crime against a minor. When he's finished serving his time, he must wear a GPS tracking device for the rest of his life.
In 2007, 28-year-old Anthony Bernard Thomas committed a lewd act on a 15-year-old girl at a Darlington apartment complex. Under Jessie's Law, which passed in South Carolina in 2006, when Thomas is released from prison, he has to wear a GPS ankle bracelet for the rest of his life.
Jessie's Law is the toughest law against sex offenders in the country, says Capt. Danny Watson with the Darlington Police Department.
"Everywhere he goes that GPS. You can call it up and say ok he's here A, B, C wherever he's at," said Watson.
Anyone who is charged with criminal sexual conduct with a child under 11 or lewd act on minor under 16 after July of 2006, falls under Jessie's Law.
If they are convicted, they must wear the GPS device for life.
The devices are monitored by the South Carolina Department of Probation and Parole.
