Former South Carolina Teacher Accused of Sexually Assaulting Minors, Exposing Them to HIV

Eric Marshall Favor Jr. faces additional charges after investigation uncovered evidence of HIV exposure

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:55pm

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An extreme close-up of a used condom, the harsh flash lighting creating a stark, gritty, and investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the serious allegations against the former teacher.A shocking revelation of alleged HIV exposure adds to the disturbing details of a former teacher's sexual abuse of minors.Marion Today

A former South Carolina teacher, Eric Marshall Favor Jr., has been accused of sexually assaulting two minors and knowingly exposing them to HIV. Favor, 29, was already facing charges of sexual conduct with a minor, criminal conspiracy, and promoting prostitution of a minor when authorities filed additional charges of knowingly exposing others to HIV.

Why it matters

The case highlights the serious consequences when educators abuse their positions of trust and authority, as well as the added trauma and health risks victims face when exposed to life-threatening illnesses. It also raises questions about the vetting process for teachers and the need for stronger safeguards to protect vulnerable students.

The details

Favor was a social studies teacher at Lower Richland High School in Richland County School District One. Previously, he taught at Johnakin Middle School in Marion County from 2019 to 2022. The allegations against Favor stem from an 'extensive investigation that began in 2024 and involves two minor victims' under the age of 16. Favor resigned from his position just prior to his arrest in February on the initial charges. The South Carolina Board of Education has since suspended his educator certificate.

  • In February 2026, Favor was arrested on two counts of sexual conduct with a minor, criminal conspiracy, and promoting prostitution of a minor.
  • Last week, Favor was charged with two additional counts of knowingly exposing others to HIV.

The players

Eric Marshall Favor Jr.

A 29-year-old former social studies teacher in South Carolina who has been accused of sexually assaulting minors and knowingly exposing them to HIV.

Marion County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that filed the additional criminal charges against Favor for knowingly exposing others to HIV.

South Carolina Board of Education

The state agency that has suspended Favor's educator certificate following his arrest.

Lower Richland High School

The school where Favor was employed as a social studies teacher before his arrest.

Johnakin Middle School

The previous school where Favor taught from 2019 to 2022 in Marion County.

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What they’re saying

“It is alleged that Favor arranged the meeting to perform sexual acts with two subjects, one being a juvenile. We will be contacting Marion and attempting to serve our warrants while he is held there.”

— Stephen Starling, Interim Police Chief

What’s next

Favor is being held at the Marion County Detention Center without bond. It is unclear if he has entered pleas to any of the charges he faces.

The takeaway

This case underscores the critical need for rigorous background checks, ongoing monitoring, and stronger accountability measures to prevent educators from exploiting their positions of trust and authority to sexually abuse students. The added allegations of HIV exposure further compound the trauma and long-term health risks faced by the victims.