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Owners of Landrum Eclectics arrested on Nov. 20

LANDRUM—On Wednesday, November 20, two Landrum men were arrested after a minor was allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted in September.

John Anthony Dobson, 62, and Wayne Eugene Levister, 58, owners of Landrum Eclectics antique store, were both charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 16. Additionally, Dobson was charged with first-degree kidnapping, solicitation of a child by computer, assault on an individual with a disability, and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

According to Lt. Ryan J. Lail with the Tryon Police Department, on September 25 at 10:30 p.m., law enforcement received a report of a missing juvenile. The juvenile was subsequently located and interviewed.

During the interview, the juvenile revealed that they were taken without permission of a parent or guardian across state lines. While at a location that was unknown at the time, the juvenile was allegedly sexually assaulted. It was later learned that the alleged assault occurred in Greenville County.

A joint investigation between the Tryon Police Department and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office led to law enforcement obtaining warrants on Dobson and Levister.  

Levister was given a $20,000 bond and later released after posting bail. Dobson is currently being held in the Greenville County Detention Center without bond and is awaiting extradition to North Carolina.

Law enforcement says that the investigation is still ongoing.