Man charged with incest after minor gives birth in parking lot, deputies say

OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) - A South Carolina man has been charged with child sex crimes and incest after deputies say a minor gave birth in a hospital parking lot.

Deputies with the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office said 43-year-old Luis Armando Argueta Montejo is charged with three counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor, second-degree, and one count of incest. He was booked Thursday after he was arrested while being served a warrant.

Officials say the investigation began last Saturday after a minor victim gave birth to a child in the parking lot of the Oconee County Memorial Hospital.

Based upon evidence, investigators learned Montejo had allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim between 2022 and 2025.

Investigators are still conducting an inquiry to determine the identity of the father of the victim’s baby.

Montejo is being held on an $80,000 surety bond. An ICE detainer has been placed on him, according to the sheriff’s office.

“The alleged crimes out of Oconee County are the worst of the worst. Truly sickening and evil. I thank ICE for their quick action, and I pray nothing like this ever happens again,” said Rep. Sheri Biggs, R-S.C., in a statement.

Both the juvenile and the baby were placed into emergency protective custody and are in a safe environment, officials said.