SUMTER, S.C. — A Sumter man is facing charges in connection with reported sexual assaults on a church bus.

According to the Sumter Police Department, church leadership at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church contacted authorities after learning of alleged assaults involving a woman and the church’s bus driver.

Following an initial investigation, police arrested 59-year-old Luke Stewart of Sumter on Wednesday morning. He is charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and was booked at the county detention center.

The investigation is ongoing, according to police.

Police encourage all victims of sexual assault to report incidents to law enforcement and seek assistance through support organizations such as Pathways to Healing, the YWCA of the Upper Lowlands, and the S.C.

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