Brentton Matthew Wheeler, courtesy of J. Reuben Long Detention Center
Horry County police have charged Brentton Matthew Wheeler, 35, from Conway with Abuse/To Inflict Great Bodily Injury Upon a Child.
Police say Wheeler, a registered sex offender, had accepted custody of four boys under the age of 18 without the knowledge of Family Court.
Police say the boys' parents took them to Wheeler's house where they were left in his custody.
Police started investigating when people at an Horry County Middle School say they learned from a child in Wheeler's custody had possibly been abused.
Police say their investigation showed that Wheeler tortured the boys with a taser-like stun gun as well as an air pistol. The boys were also forced to stand with their arms outstretched and their noses pressed against the wall for hours.
We're told none of the boys are related to Wheeler. The Department of Social Services has placed the boys in emergency protective custody.
According to the Horry County Sheriff's Office Wheeler was convicted of non forcible sodomy in 1996 in Virginia. The victim was a 17-year-old male.
Wheeler's last verification check was done Jan. 12 of this year. Sgt. Lori Avant says that check involves the offender coming to the Sheriff's office and providing current information such as their home address, vehicles registered to them and a new photo. Since Wheeler was not on probation he is not subject to unannounced inspections of his home.
Police said the case remains active at this time, with additional arrests/charges possible.
