South Carolina Lawmaker RJ May Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina State Representative RJ May, a Republican from Lexington, has been arrested on ten counts of distributing sexual abuse material involving children. Prosecutors allege that May utilized the screen name “joebidennnn69” to share 220 files depicting toddlers and young children in sexual acts on the Kik social media platform for approximately five days in spring 2024. Each count carries a potential five to twenty-year prison sentence.
May, 38, was detained at his home following a detailed federal investigation and was denied bail. Prosecutors raised concerns about May’s childcare responsibilities, as his alleged activities involve children similar in age to his own. At his arraignment, May’s lawyer argued that someone else could have accessed his Wi-Fi to share the illicit material and claimed investigators failed to directly link the Kik messages to May.
In addition to the distribution charges, federal agents are also exploring May’s possible involvement in sex trafficking during three trips to Colombia, where he allegedly used a pseudonym and where purportedly underage women appeared in videos found on his laptop.
After taking office in 2020, May played a significant role in the House’s Freedom Caucus, advocating for conservative values. His recent arrest has resulted in a notable fallout within political circles, leading to his expulsion from the Freedom Caucus and suspension from his House seat. Former allies have distanced themselves as rumors of the investigation spread, and May’s presence in the Statehouse has been notably diminished.
While awaiting trial, May remains in custody, with his lawyer maintaining that there is insufficient evidence directly linking him to the accusations. A hearing revealed the rising tensions as the courtroom echoed with implications of political rivalry and the gravity of the allegations against him.
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