Agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) have charged Jesse Phillip Brassell, 23, with cruelty to children.
Brassell was employed by the South Carolina Highway Patrol for approximately 27 months and had the rank of Trooper First Class and was last assigned to Troop 6, Post B.
An arrest warrant states Brassell admitted to intentionally biting the 2-year-old victim, causing a bite mark on the victim’s right cheek. The incident happened on Sept. 20 in Cottageville, court documents state.
The Colleton County Sheriff’s Office requested SLED investigate the matter, but a release from SLED does not specify what prompted the investigation.
The Department of Public Safety placed Brassell under suspension without pay on Sept. 22. He officially resigned from the agency on Dec. 15, according to the department.
Brassell was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Colleton County Detention Center.
The case will be investigated by the Public Integrity Unit of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. The release states that unit is a collaboration between the 1st and 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Offices.
For more information visit sled.sc.gov
