August 1, 2025

Authorities Search for Anderson County Man Wanted for Sexual Conduct

News Summary

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office is searching for Ricky Dean Clinton, charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. Following an arrest warrant issued after evidence was collected, authorities have urged the public for information on his whereabouts. Additionally, local teacher Nicole Ballew Callaham faces serious allegations involving an unlawful relationship with a 14-year-old student. Both cases have raised significant safety concerns within the community, prompting a joint investigation from local law enforcement.

Anderson County, South Carolina – Authorities are actively searching for Ricky Dean Clinton, a 40-year-old man wanted on charges of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office has reported that Clinton has been evading capture for several days following the issuance of an arrest warrant based on evidence gathered during an ongoing investigation.

The investigation into Clinton began after an incident was reported in May, leading to formal charges being filed against him in July. According to the Sheriff’s office, Clinton is accused of engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a teenage girl in Honea Path, a community in the Anderson County area. The evidence gathered by investigators was substantial enough to substantiate the charges and seek an arrest warrant.

In a separate incident earlier this year, Clinton was arrested on charges of grand larceny and breach of peace, which further complicates his legal troubles. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone who may have information on Clinton’s current whereabouts to contact them at (864) 260-4400 as they continue their search.

In addition to Clinton’s case, the Anderson County community is also grappling with troubling news regarding a local school teacher, Nicole Ballew Callaham. The 33-year-old elementary school teacher is facing serious allegations of having an unlawful relationship with a 14-year-old boy. This relationship allegedly began in 2021 and persisted for at least two years. The Greenville Police Department and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office are jointly handling the investigation into Callaham’s actions.

Reports suggest that some of the alleged misconduct occurred within the Greenville city limits. The sheriff’s office has indicated that Callaham displayed grooming behaviors toward the victim during his early teenage years. Allegations include that she signed the child out of school, drove him to practices, and supervised him during after-school activities.

These allegations only came to light after the victim turned 18 years old and chose to come forward. Following the emergence of these claims, Callaham resigned from her position in Anderson School District 5 and surrendered to law enforcement on July 10.

Callaham faces multiple serious charges, including eight counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor and four counts of unlawful conduct toward a child in Greenville. In Anderson County, she has been charged with three counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Bail has been set at $40,000 for the charges in Anderson County, while the Greenville court granted a $10,000 surety bond for each count, amounting to a total of $120,000 in that jurisdiction.

A separate investigation is also reportedly being conducted by the Clemson Police Department, although no official charges have been filed in that area to date.

As these cases unfold, the Anderson County community remains alert and concerned about the implications for the safety of local children and the integrity of its educational environment. The authorities continue to seek the public’s help as they work diligently to address the charges against both Clinton and Callaham.

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Author: STAFF HERE CLINTON

The CLINTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREClinton.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Clinton, Laurens County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Discovery, Clinton Community Day, and performances at the Whitten Center Amphitheater. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Laurens County Historical Society, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and education that power the local economy such as Milliken & Company and Presbyterian College. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.