William “Bill” Oswald was a Baptist pastor at Dunn’s Chapel in Congaree, South Carolina. He was convicted in early December, 2023, of sexually assaulting his daughters beginning when they were eight from around 1996 to 2001.
The family lived in the parsonage which is where he abused his daughters. As adults, they came forward about his abuse of them. Their testimony was the bulk of the evidence against him though expert witnesses were called to inform the jury why so many child victims do not report abuse until they are older.
It only took a few hours for the jury to convict him on all three counts. He was sentenced to 40 years, twenty for each of his daughters. His lawyers have appealed.
- Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office: Father Convicted by Richland Jury of Sexually Assaulting Daughters
- The Christian Post: Former pastor gets 40 years in prison for abusing 2 daughters starting when they were 8
- The Lexington Ledger: Former South Congaree pastor receives 40 year sentence for sexual assault of two minors
- Richland County Fifth Judicial Circuit: Public Index (Name Search: William Benton Oswald)
December 14, 2023