5 women settle claims alleging sexual assault by parole officer

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Five Aiken County women have collectively settled their claims for $355,000 over allegations they were repeatedly sexually assaulted by their parole officer.

The assaults allegedly were made by George Yeldell between 2017 and 2019 while the women were under the supervision of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Pardon and Parole.

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Yeldell was arrested and charged with misconduct in office in 2020 after an investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. He is currently out on bond.

The complaints allege Yeldell forcibly kissed the women and tried to force them to perform sex acts with him during their check-ins behind closed doors at the agency’s office in Aiken County.

A criminal trial date has not been set.

The five women, represented by attorney Tyler Bailey, consider the pace of the case slow.