State v. Tallent

Syllabus

This case arises out of allegations that the defendant, Dwayne C. Tallent, sexually abused his minor stepdaughter for several years, that he exposed her to illegal drugs and alcohol, and that he gave her brothers illegal drugs and alcohol when they moved into the house. He was charged with first and second degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, (CSC 1st and 2nd) lewd act upon a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. A jury convicted him of the charges, and the trial court sentenced him to concurrent sentences for a total of thirty years' imprisonment. Tallent argues the trial court erred in denying his motion to sever the contributing to the delinquency of a minor charge from the other charges and in admitting evidence of his manufacture, sale, and use of cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine. He claims some of the drug-related evidence violated Rule 403, SCRE. We affirm.