News Summary
RJ May, a state representative from Lexington County, has been indicted on federal charges for distributing child sexual abuse material. He was arrested at his home after evidence linked him to sharing over 200 videos of child exploitation. A federal judge has ordered his detention without bond due to flight risk and community safety concerns. The investigation revealed alarming content on his devices, raising serious issues about child safety and the responsibilities of elected officials.
West Columbia, South Carolina – RJ May, a state representative from Lexington County, has been indicted on federal charges for distributing child sexual abuse material. He was arrested at his home on Wednesday after federal authorities uncovered evidence linking him to the sharing of over 200 videos depicting child exploitation. A federal judge has ordered May to remain in custody without bond, raising concerns about his potential flight risk and the danger he poses to the community.
The arrest stems from an investigation that began when the messaging app Kik alerted authorities regarding an account suspected of sharing child sexual abuse material. This flagged account was traced back to May’s home internet protocol (IP) address. Between March and April 2024, investigators found that the account had shared more than 200 explicit videos nearly 500 times.
In August 2024, federal agents executed a search warrant at May’s residence, where they confiscated multiple electronic devices. Although May deleted Kik and other applications shortly before the search, his phone still contained the username and email linked to the flagged account. During the preliminary hearing at the Matthew J. Perry US Courthouse, testimony from federal agents revealed that while no explicit sexual content was found on May’s hard drives, the prosecutors argued that utilizing cloud storage for illicit material is a common practice among offenders.
Moreover, during the investigation, federal authorities discovered nine videos on May’s personal laptop that depicted him engaging in sexual acts with women who appeared to be minors while he was traveling in Colombia. At least one of the videos featured children younger than ten, alarming given May’s own parental status.
May has been suspended without pay from his position in the South Carolina House of Representatives and has been expelled from the ultra-conservative South Carolina Freedom Caucus, which he co-founded. Although May attended recent legislative sessions, he had not involved himself in debates due to the ongoing investigation. If found guilty of the federal charges, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a minimum sentence of five years, along with potential fines reaching $250,000.
During the detention hearing, May’s defense attorney argued that there was no definitive evidence proving May had personally distributed the videos. However, Judge Shiva Hodges dismissed this argument, calling the suggestion that May’s phone could have been tampered with by another individual a “far-fetched” defense. Citing the nature of the charges and the disturbing evidence presented, the judge deemed that May should remain in custody. The case is being managed in cooperation with Homeland Security and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
This situation has sparked significant concern regarding child exploitation, particularly involving elected officials who are expected to uphold the law and protect vulnerable populations. The ongoing investigation serves as a reminder of the broader societal issue concerning the safety and well-being of children and the responsibilities of those in positions of power.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
20-Year-Old Arrested for Kidnapping and Sexual Conduct in SC
Man Arrested for Traveling to Pick Up Minor in Gaston, SC
Opportunities and Concerns in Lexington County
Lexington County Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Sexual Crimes Against Minors
Lexington University Adjunct Arrested for Exploiting Minor
Shocking Arrests Raise Concerns in Lexington County
Former USC Researcher Arrested for Child Exploitation
Nigerian Man Extradited in Connection to Teen’s Death
Columbia: Tragic Sextortion Case Leads to Extradition
Sextortion Case Linked to Teen’s Tragic Suicide
Additional Resources
- South Carolina Daily Gazette
- Wikipedia: Child exploitation
- WJBF News
- Google Search: RJ May South Carolina
- Live 5 News
- Google Scholar: Child sexual abuse material
- The State
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child abuse
- My Clinton News
- Google News: South Carolina lawmaker arrest
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
