News Summary
State Representative Robert “RJ” May of Lexington County has been indicted on federal charges for distributing child sexual abuse material. Arrested without bond, he faces ten counts that could lead to 20 years in prison. An investigation initiated by Kik revealed that over 200 explicit videos were shared through an account linked to May’s IP address. As the case progresses, concernsRegarding flight risk led to May’s detention and suspension from his legislative role.
Lexington, South Carolina – Lawmaker RJ May Indicted on Federal Charges of Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material
State Representative Robert “RJ” May from Lexington County was arrested and is currently being held without bond following an indictment on multiple federal charges related to the distribution of child sexual abuse material. May was taken into custody on Wednesday at his residence in West Columbia and is facing a total of 10 counts that could result in a maximum federal prison sentence of 20 years.
Judge Shiva Hodges ordered May to remain in federal custody due to concerns regarding flight risk and the potential threat he poses to the community. The investigation that led to May’s arrest initiated after the messaging app Kik alerted authorities about an account associated with May’s home IP address, which was flagged for sharing child sexual abuse material.
Authorities reported that over 200 explicit videos were shared through the account nearly 500 times during March and April of 2025. In August of 2024, federal agents conducted a search of May’s home and seized nearly three dozen electronic devices, including cell phones, hard drives, and thumb drives. Despite May deleting Kik and other related applications on April 4, investigators determined that he still retained the username and email linked to the flagged account on his phone.
As the case unfolds, May’s defense argued that no sexual content was found directly on the hard drives seized from his home. Nevertheless, he has been suspended from his legislative position within the South Carolina House of Representatives.
Political Background of RJ May
May is known for his ultra-conservative political stance and was a co-founder of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus, where he served as vice chairman until mid-2024. Following the indictment, the Freedom Caucus expelled May, stating that he had not participated in their activities since August of 2024. During the 2025 legislative session, he was marked present every day, but remained largely silent amid debates and proceedings in the House.
May was initially elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2020 and was re-elected for his third term in November 2024. He was the sole candidate on the ballot for the election.
Consequences of Indictment
In accordance with state law, May has been suspended from his position without pay due to the felony indictment and will remain so until he is acquitted or the charges are otherwise resolved. In light of the situation, South Carolina House Majority Leader Davey Hiott has filed a complaint with the House Ethics Committee to initiate the processes for May’s expulsion from the House.
The ongoing investigation and legal proceedings surrounding May mark a significant and distressing development within South Carolina politics. As authorities continue to investigate the allegations against May, the public remains concerned about the implications and the broader issues of child safety and political accountability raised by this case.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
South Carolina Representative Charged with Child Exploitation
South Carolina Representative Indicted on Child Abuse Charges
Additional Resources
- WIS TV: SC State Representative Arrested
- Wikipedia: Child Sexual Abuse Material
- WLTX: Lexington County Lawmaker Charges
- Google Search: RJ May arrest
- The State: RJ May Indicted on Federal Charges
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Political Accountability
- SC Daily Gazette: Representative Arrested
- Live 5 News: House Majority Leader Calls to Expel Rep
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.
