A Spartanburg man accused of having sex with an underaged girl in Union County 35 years ago was sentenced to 90 days in jail Thursday after pleading guilty to assault and battery.

Carrol William Clem, 56, was charged June 9 by the Union Public Safety Department with second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. The incident occurred in 1974 at what is now Creekside Mobile Home Park. The victim, now 47, lives in Cherokee County.

The victim told police that Clem sexually assaulted her when she was 13 and fathered her child. Chief Sam White said the victim apparently had consensual sex with Clem, but this was illegal because of her age.

Second-degree criminal sexual conduct did not exist as a charge at the time of the crime, according to Deputy Solicitor John Anthony. He said he did not believe Clem could be prosecuted under a statute that did not exist when he committed the offense.

Clem was allowed to plead guilty to a charge that exists now and also in 1974. He will get credit for time served and serve the rest of his sentence at the Union County Detention Center.

The victim asked Judge John C. Hayes for a stronger sentence. In a statement read aloud in court by a victim’s advocate, she said the 90-day sentence was a “slap in the face” to victims of sexual assault.

“This is not justice for rape victims,” she said.

Guilty pleas

The following persons pleaded guilty this week in General Sessions Court before Judge John C. Hayes:

Scott Borchardt, 205 Copper Lane, Lexington, to driving under the influence, third offense, one year and $2,100 suspended upon three years probation and $1,700; to driving under suspension, second offense, 60 days suspended.

Dakota Gardin, 137 Hill St., Buffalo, to petit larceny, time served.

Mark Mitchell, 300 Perrin Ave., Union, to distribution of marijuana, first offense and possession of marijuana, second or more offense, sentence deferred until September.

Freddie Puckett, 1207 West Main St., Union, to simple possession of marijuana, 30 days; to possession of a controlled substance, first offense, two years suspended upon two years probation and 20 days public service; sentences concurrent.

Jaron Rice, 104 Hickory St., Jonesville, to malicious damage to property over $1,000, one year suspended upon one year probation and restitution.

Michael Shaw, 147 Brooklyn Ave., Carlisle, to grand larceny over $1,000, two years suspended upon two years probation, $720 restitution and $500 to the Public Defenders Fund.

Patsy Snowden, 937 Main St., Buffalo, to possession of Schedule IV narcotics, six months suspended upon time served and two years probation and $500 to the Public Defenders Fund; to eight counts of illegal possession of prescription drugs, two years suspended upon time served and two years probation for each count; sentences concurrent.

Evonne Stephens, 336 Sardis Road, Union, to breach of trust more $5,000, five years probation suspended upon five years probation and restitution.