Lexington County deputies have arrested a man accused of robbing, kidnapping and committing sexual battery against a woman last month.

Samuel Earnest Aaron, 52, is charged with criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping and strong armed robbery, according to arrest warrants.

“Based on information detectives gathered, Aaron offered a woman a ride home as she walked along South Lake Drive Jan. 9,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “Investigators determined Aaron drove the woman to a wooded area in the 500 block of Bluefield Road and sexually assaulted her.”

Aaron then stole jewelry from the woman, according to the warrants.

“Detectives identified Aaron and the vehicle he was driving by reviewing surveillance video recorded the day of the incident,” Koon said.

Aaron was arrested Feb. 5. He’s being held in the Lexington County Detention Center on $310,000 bond.

Ft. Jackson soldier found dead

Fort Jackson officials have reported the death of one of their soldiers.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department notified officials Feb. 6 that Staff Sgt. Maxwell Besch had died at his off-post residence. Besch was a drill sergeant assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment.

“Today is a heartbreaking day and this loss is felt deeply by all,” said Fort Jackson Commander Brig. Gen. Milford H. Beagle, Jr. “Our hearts and prayers are with the family members and teammates of Drill Sergeant Besch. We are providing every comfort and assistance that we can to all involved.”

The cause of the death is under investigation.

Lexington man charged in undercover drug operation

Lexington County narcotics agents arrested a man on multiple charges last week after an undercover operation.

Ladarien Quentaro Gates, 29, faces 5 heroin distribution charges and 1 count each of trafficking heroin and possession of a narcotic, according to arrest warrants.

“Gates was arrested as part of an ongoing undercover operation that began in December,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “Agents executed a search warrant at his home last week in the 200 block of Shirway Court.”

Agents seized pills, heroin, used needles and more than $500 from Gates’ home, according to Koon.

Gates was arrested Thursday at his home. He’s since been released from the Lexington County Detention Center after meeting the conditions of his bond.

Gilbert High School shooting threat

A Gilbert High School student is charged with making threats after electronically distributing a digital picture with a menacing caption.

The student, whose name will not be released because he’s under the age of 18, recently edited a picture of another student to include a message about shooting up the school, according to deputies.

Deputies interviewed the student at the school Wednesday. He was released to the custody of a family member.