By Greg Oliver

Courtesy The Journal

goliver@upstatetoday.com

EASLEY — A 34-year-old Pickens County man has been charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct in connection with an alleged assault last week.
Matthew Jamie Bryant, of Hidden Acres Drive in Easley, was found and arrested at a home in Easley on Saturday. Bryant was placed into the Pickens County Detention Facility, where he was being held Monday evening.
Arrest warrants claim that Bryant used aggravated force to accomplish sexual battery against a 17-year-old girl, forcing her into a bedroom, throwing her on the bed and forcing her to engage in sexual intercourse. The sheriff’s office said the victim and the suspect have mutual friends but are not related or involved in any type of relationship.
Reports allege that the assault took place when both were at a home in Easley earlier the same day.
The sheriff’s office said in the arrest warrant that there was probable cause to arrest Bryant based on the incident report, a statement issued by the victim and statements from a witness.