By Leah Justice

leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office recently charged two Polk County men for violating state sex offender registry laws by having social media accounts.

Brian Anthony Counts, of 148 Livingston St., Tryon was charged with sex offender use of social website, according to sheriff reports.

James Clement Harrelson, of 3620 Howard Gap Road, Saluda was charged with sex offender use of social website, according to sheriff reports.

Counts was charged on Feb. 19 and is out of jail on a $2,000 bond. Harrelson was charged on Feb. 17 and is out of jail on a $2,500 bond.

Sheriff’s officers say both individuals are on the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry and the guidelines include that state sex offenders cannot use social media. Both Counts and Harrelson had to sign a document stating they understand they cannot use social media and have to abide by the terms, according to the sheriff’s office.