A South Carolina man has been arrested and charged in connection with the reported sexual assault of a minor in Cape May, authorities said.

The Cape May County Prosecutor and Cape May City Police said William H. Nichols, 32, of Florence County, SC was charged Feb. 27 with aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

The investigation began Feb. 24 after the Cape May City police received a report of an alleged sexual assault of a minor. The Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office SVU and the city police conducted a joint investigation, officials said.

Authorities determined Nichols was living in Florence County, South Carolina, and obtained a complaint warrant for his arrest. He was taken into custody March 1 by the Florence County Sheriff’s Department and is being held at the Florence County Correctional Facility pending extradition to New Jersey, officials said.

Under New Jersey law, a first-degree conviction typically carries a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison. However, prosecutors said the case is subject to the Jessica Lunsford Act, which mandates a sentence of 25 years to life, with a minimum of 25 years to be served without parole upon conviction.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and urged anyone with additional information to contact the Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit.