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Belmont man charged in second sex assault
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DARLINGTON - A 46-year-old Belmont man was released on bond for charges of sexually assaulting a teen who was camping on the man's property in July 2012.

Johnny Brandt was released on a $10,000 signature bond Monday in Lafayette County Circuit Court for one Class C felony count of second-degree sexual assault of a child.

Police were investigating Brandt for sexually assaulting a different teen in December 2013 when the victim told police there was a second victim in 2012. Brandt faces separate charges for causing a child to view sexual activity, exposing his genitals to a child and exposing a child to harmful material, stemming from the incident that occurred in December 2013.

According to court records, the alleged second victim, also a teen, involved in the 2012 incident denied that he was sexually assaulted by Brandt but admitted to camping on Brandt's property in Belmont with the alleged victim in the 2013 incident. Brandt said he had no contact with the second victim but that he and the first victim had consensual intercourse while the second victim was camped out on Brandt's property. The first victim told police that he, Brandt and the second victim participated in sexual activity while in the tent.

Brandt invited the two teens to camp for a week and ride ATVs on the Cheese Country Trail. The second victim alleged the first victim was sexually assaulted by Brandt once during the week-long camping trip.

If convicted for the maximum penalty, Brandt could face up to 40 years imprisonment or $100,000 in fines or both. He has a preliminary hearing set for Dec. 22.