Police arrested a Florence man Wednesday amid accusations he sexually assaulted five children.
Robert Lee Johnson, 40, of 615 S. Church St., faces a count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, four counts of lewd act on a minor, and a count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, Florence Police Maj. Carlos Raines said.
The incidents occurred between 2001 and 2008 in Florence, Raines said. The victims were three girls and two boys ranging from 4 to 14 years old. They were either staying with the suspect at his residence or were left with him to babysit.
In some cases, the acts continued from the time a victim was 8 until he or she was 14, Raines said.
One victim was assaulted from 2007 to 2008, another from 2005 to 2007, and another from 2001 to 2003, and so on, the major said.
Johnson has not yet been booked at the Florence County Detention Center in Effingham.
Anyone with information about possible cases of criminal sexual assault or domestic violence is encouraged to contact the nearest law enforcement agency.
In addition, the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault provides assistance and resources designed to help victims of these crimes and can be reached at (843) 669-4600 or (800) 273-1820.
For more information on reporting child abuse, call the Childhelp Pee Dee 24-hour hotline at (866) 867-9857.
Also, the CARE House of the Pee Dee is a not-for-profit child advocacy center in Florence that provides services to children who may have been physically or sexually abused. For details, call (843) 629-0236 or visit its Web site, www.thecarehouse.com.

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