LAURENS, S.C.; August 5, 2022 – A Ware Shoals man is headed to prison after being found guilty this week of criminal sexual conduct in connection to an incident that occurred in Pitts Park in Ware Shoals, 8th Circuit Solicitor David M. Stumbo announced Friday.
Randall Wade Medlin, 46, was found guilty by a Laurens County jury Wednesday afternoon of one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. Circuit Judge Frank Addy then sentenced Medlin to 15 years in prison, which is the maximum for that offense, suspended to six years of active prison time followed by five years of probation upon release.
In August 2019, Medlin was at Pitts Park in Ware Shoals where he fondled one of the victims underneath her bathing suit. Both victims disclosed the assault immediately after it happened and one of the victims’ parents contacted law enforcement to file a report.
Senior Assistant Solicitor Cam Morrow and Assistant Solicitor Jake Lampke handled the case for the state, with assistance from 8th Circuit Investigator Jared Hunnicutt and 8th Circuit Victim Advocate Joy Lindsay. Medlin was represented by Richard Warder of the Greenville County Bar.
Solicitor Stumbo praised the work of his staff along with the Ware Shoals Police Department, particularly Lt. Jessica Davis, in securing the conviction.
“The trauma caused by sexual assaults against innocent young ladies like the victims is extensive,” Solicitor Stumbo said. “It is my hope and prayer that putting a predator like Randall Merlin behind bars will lead to some measure of closure for these girls, and I am proud of our team for all of the hard work that they put in with the Ware Shoals Police Department to take this guy off the streets.”