Longs man arrested in connection with sexually assaulting teen babysitter

A 52-year-old Longs man was arrested in connection with the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl who was babysitting for him, police said.

James Ferguson Slate is charged with third-degree sex/criminal sexual conduct with a minor commit/attempt lewd act, according to J. Reuben Long jail records.

Horry County police were called about 3:30 a.m. Oct. 18 to a Longs-area home where two 15-year-old girls reported the incident, authorities said.

The girls were at the suspect’s home on the 5000 block of Lyons Lane in Longs babysitting his child. They arrived there about 6 p.m. and planned to stay the night because Slate returns late when he goes out, according to the police report.

The girls spending the night is not unusual, and they have babysat at Slate’s home numerous times, the police report said.

The girls said Slate came home about 1:30 a.m. and was intoxicated after “a night on the town,” according to the report.

The girls told police they were each sleeping on separate couches when Slate came home. One of the girls said Slate lay on top of her and started kissing her on her neck and chest area, police said.

The victim recalled the scruff of Slate’s face sticking her and said she tried to push him away, but he would not give up, authorities said.

The victim said she eventually got away and ran to the bathroom. The two girls left together and walked to one their homes, police said.

The suspect told authorities the two girls were sleeping on a mattress near a pool table when he returned home, and police said he appeared surprised when told the girls weren’t there anymore.

Slate is currently being held at J. Reuben Long Detention Center, and his bond was not set as of Thursday morning.

This story was originally published October 29, 2015 at 12:13 PM with the headline "Longs man arrested in connection with sexually assaulting teen babysitter."