PRESS RELEASE
April 12, 2016
TWO SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION
SUBJECT: Frank Mitchell Gaster, age 70, of 513 Lake City Highway, Johnsonville, SC 29555 was arrested by Narcotics Investigators with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office on April 7, 2016 and charged with four counts of Disseminating or Exhibiting Harmful Performance to Minors (S.C. Code Ann. 16-15-385(A)(B)). See FCSO Booking Website for additional details.
SUBJECT: Heather Marie Tisdale, age 31, of 906 Whispering Pines Road, Johnsonville, SC 29555-6123 was arrested by Narcotics Investigators with the Florence County Sheriff’s office on April 7, 2016 and charged with four counts of Unlawful Neglect of a Child (S.C. Code Ann. 63-05-070). See FCSO Booking Website for additional details.
NARRATIVE: On April 6, 2016 specially trained Narcotics Investigators with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of agents with the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) executed a search warrant for controlled substances at 513 Lake City Highway, Johnsonville, SC. While executing the search warrant, Investigators also discovered video evidence of sexual encounters allegedly performed in the presence of children as well as the alleged exhibition of inappropriate and suggestive sexual comments toward children. As a result, Gaster was charged with four counts of Disseminating or Exhibiting Harmful Performance to Minors.
In addition, Investigators identified Heather Marie Tisdale as one who is alleged to be a participant in the video recorded sexual encounter in the presence of children under her care, custody or control. On four occasions between January 10, 2016 and March 15, 2016 Tisdale is alleged to have allowed minor children to be present when she performed a sex act.
In addition to the above SLED charged Gaster with one count of Possession of Controlled Substances and two counts of Distribution of Controlled Substances.
Under South Carolina law, Disseminating or Exhibiting Harmful Performance to Minors is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both. Unlawful Conduct Toward a Child is also a felony under South Carolina law and punishable by not more than 10 years in prison or fined in the discretion of the court, or both.
Both Gaster and Tisdale are being held at the Florence County Detention Center on $115,000.00 and $75,000.00 surety bonds respectively. The investigation into this matter is ongoing and additional charges are possible.
END
Major Michael M. Nunn
General Counsel/P.I.O.
