Richland County man, 50, found guilty of sexual conduct with a minor
April 15, 2026
A Richland County jury convicted 50-year-old Ronnie Darnell Branch of criminal sexual conduct with a minor in the second degree on April 9. The Honorable Jocelyn Newman sentenced Branch to 15 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. He is required to register as a sex offender upon his release.
The incident occurred in June 2021, when the victim was 15 years old.
The Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office prosecuted the case. Assistant Solicitors Morgan Monroe and Gabrielle Sharp represented the State. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department led the investigation.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual assault is a crime of secrecy, often committed behind closed doors by someone the victim trusts. According to SLED’s 2024 Crime in South Carolina Annual Report, 92% of survivors knew their offenders.
Additionally, almost half of sexual assault victims in South Carolina are children. The Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office works tirelessly to seek justice for all victims of childhood sexual assault and to hold perpetrators accountable, a mission made possible by the bravery of every survivor.