Full Notification

Last week, Sheriff’s Office investigators received a report from staff members of Coastal Carolina Hospital that two small children may have been sexually assaulted at their Bluffton residence. Following interviews of witnesses, and after learning that the subject, 63-year-old John Basile, had regular access to the two children at their Lilac Lane, Bluffton residence, investigators requested for case workers from the Department of Social Services to respond and develop a safety plan for the children.
 
In the investigation that ensued, the two children were forensically interviewed by staff members at Hopeful Horizons. Through the forensic interviews, it was learned that—on at least one occasion— both children had been sexually assaulted by John Basile at their Lilac Lane residence. After the interviews of the two children and other witnesses, Sheriff’s Office investigators met with a Beaufort County magistrate and obtained warrants for Basile’s arrest for two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct 1^st Degree with a Minor, as well as a warrant to search the Lilac Lane residence.
 
This morning, Sheriff’s Office investigators observed John Basile driving in the area of the Lilac Lane residence and conducted a traffic stop. Basile pulled over and was arrested by investigators without incident. Following his arrest and an interview by investigators, Basile was transported to the Beaufort County Detention Center and incarcerated.

Also this morning, and with John Basile in custody, investigators served the search warrant at the Lilac Lane residence. During the search warrant, numerous electronic and electronic storage devices were located inside the residence and seized by investigators. The seized devices will be subjected to forensic analyses; and Basile may face additional criminal charges when the results of those analyses are received.
 
The investigation is ongoing. As of late this afternoon, John Basile had yet to receive his bond hearing for the two charges and remained incarcerated at the Detention Center.
 
We appreciate your partnership and continued commitment to the safety of our community.