Claxton couple arrested Sunday after robbery, prostitution investigation

A Claxton husband and wife were arrested Sunday after a robbery and prostitution investigation in Ben’s Mobile Home Park off Edgemoor Road, authorities said.

Around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, deputies were called to meet with a 32-year-old victim who said he had been robbed at gunpoint at a mobile home on Queen Street after replying to a Backpage.com advertisement for escort services, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department said in a press release. The victim told deputies he had met a female at the residence, and after a short time a male entered, brandished a handgun, and robbed him of cash, the press release said.

He was then tied up and left in a bedroom, authorities said. The victim was able to free himself and flee out a window.

Deputies responded and, after an investigation, the two residents of the mobile home, Lindsay Elaine Pressley, 26, and her husband, Richard Paul Pressley, 29, were both charged with several felony offenses related to the robbery as well as prostitution.

Both are being held in the Anderson County Detention Facility with bonds pending their arraignments.

“After further investigation, it is believed Lindsay Pressley and Richard Pressley have been involved in other prior robberies of a similar nature,” Sheriff Paul White said in the press release. “However, no past victims have come forward or been cooperative with law enforcement.”

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department is asking for anyone who may have been a victim of Lindsay Pressley or Richard Pressley to contact Investigator Rodney Minor of the Criminal Investigations Unit at (865) 457-6255, extension 144, or the Sheriff’s Communications Center at (865) 457-2414.

Richard and Linda Pressley have both been charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, felony property theft, promoting prostitution, and criminal conspiracy. Richard Pressley has also been charged with possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

The Sheriff’s Department said the case remains under investigation.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

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