Attorney General Alan Wilson announces Charleston man sent to prison for Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) - Attorney General Alan Wilson announces that, on January 15, 2025, Abel Sanjuan Tranquilino pleaded guilty to Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2^nd degree, in Charleston County before the Honorable Milton G. Kimpson.  

On August 25, 2022, Detective James Jacko with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office spoke to family members of a 15-year-old minor who lived in Charleston County. Family members of the minor indicated to law enforcement that in June of 2022, Tranquilino had been found in their home, hiding in the minor’s bedroom. An investigation was started into that incident but during that time Tranquilino maintained contact with the minor. The family discovered that Tranquilino had been making video calls to the minor on a phone that he had provided to her. He was also sending videos of his genitalia and requesting nude images of the minor. Law enforcement forensically acquired the victim’s cell phone and found the corroborating text thread. The minor also disclosed that Tranquilino had engaged in sexual activity with her between July 1^st and September 7^th of 2022.

Judge Kimpson sentenced Tranquilino to eight years in prison. He was given credit for the 862 days he had already served. He will have to register as a sex offender upon release.