Suspect Arrested for Possession of Destructive Device and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

BEAUFORT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Press Release
Bluffton, SC (April 14, 2008 11:00 am)
            
              Paul Joseph Danao

On April 12, 2008, Beaufort County Sheriff's Office investigators arrested a Bluffton man, Paul J. Danao of 20 Simmonsville Road, on charges related to materials found in his vehicle located at 198 Simmonsville Road in Bluffton.
On 4/9/08 at approximately 3:45 pm, Sheriff's Office Investigator Eric Calendine received a phone call from complainant, Preston Oates, owner of Pro Tow Towing and Storage, located at 198 Simmonsville Road in Bluffton, requesting that the Sheriff's Office respond to investigate a report of child pornography. Sheriff's Office Investigators responded to this call and, during the course their investigation, discovered a briefcase containing suspicious materials. This briefcase was unrelated to the initial investigation.
Investigators secured the scene and contacted BCSO Tactical Operations Capt. Scott Johnson and the BCSO Command Duty Officer of the day. As a precaution, the Sheriff's Office requested assistance from the SLED Bomb Team in reference to the briefcase. DHEC Agents and members of the MCAS Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit were also dispatched to the scene at the request of the SLED Bomb Team. Using specialized equipment, the SLED team found the contents of the briefcase to have a minute trace of radioactivity which was so small in nature that it did not pose an immediate threat to the public. The SLED Team took possession of the briefcase for proper disposal. Once the briefcase had been properly secured, Sheriff's Office Investigators were able to continue with their investigation process.
As a result of the investigation:

              It was found that Paul J. Danao had in his 1994 Ford Aerostar van a silver metallic briefcase filled with toxic substances and/or materials that when assembled makes a destructive device. Also found were handwritten instructions for assembling these ingredients to create an explosive mixture.

              It was also found that Danao had recorded, photographed, filmed, developed, duplicated, produced, or created digital electronic file material and/or received, purchased, or solicited material that contains a visual representation of a minor engaged in sexual activity by having multiple photographs and CD's (compact discs) containing said material. The children in the images were of young age from toddlers to young teens.

On 4/12/08, Danao was arrested on the following charges:

              Possession of a destructive device material and components: Use, counseling or soliciting others to use, possessing or threatening to use destructive device. 

              Sexual exploitation of a minor, 2nd degree 

Danao was transported to the Beaufort County Detention Center where he remains awaiting a bond hearing.