Aiken man gets 10 years for sexually assaulting child & creating child porn

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – Aug. 27, 2019 - An Aiken man who sexually assaulted a child and created and distributed child pornography has pleaded guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison for his crimes. David Urizar pleaded guilty on August 22, 2019, to one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Second Degree, and one count of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Third Degree, before the Honorable Clifton Newman in Aiken County. Urizar was represented by Brian Katonik.

On November 24, 2016, Investigator Lucinda McKellar with the SC Attorney General’s Office conducted an investigation into the online distribution of child pornography. Inv. McKellar identified a user of a peer-to-peer file sharing program distributing child pornography, and she was able to download a video showing a prepubescent female being raped. Inv.  McKellar was able to identify David Urizar of Aiken County as a suspect. The investigation was then referred to the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation. Deputies with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Mr. Urizar’s residence, and located additional files of child pornography on multiple electronic devices. Mr. Urizar stated to investigators that he was responsible for the child pornography.

As a direct result of the investigation of the distribution of child pornography, a previously unknown child victim of sexual abuse was identified and rescued by law enforcement. Upon further examination of Mr. Urizar’s electronic devices, Investigator Adam Truesdale located a homemade video of Mr. Urizar sexually assaulting a child. Investigator Shannon Sturgill was able to secure a confession which identified the child and confirmed that the assault occurred in Aiken County.

Mr. Urizar was given the maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on the charge of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Second Degree. Mr. Urizar was also sentenced to 10 years in prison on the charge of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Third Degree.  The sentences will run concurrently.  Mr. Urizar will have to register as a sex offender upon his release and forfeited his electronic devices. Assistant Attorney General Stephen Ryan prosecuted this case for the State.