A South Carolina lawmaker, Representative RJ May from Lexington County, has been indicted on multiple federal charges related to the distribution of child sexual abuse material. The court filings, which were made public on Thursday, reveal that May faces 10 counts, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, with a minimum of five years, in addition to fines potentially reaching $250,000. Following his arrest on Wednesday, a judge ordered that May remain detained while awaiting trial.
The office of U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling indicated that the investigation began when the social messaging app Kik notified the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in April 2024 about a user sharing videos of child sexual abuse. This investigation identified at least ten videos linked to May’s device and home network.
In a letter from South Carolina House Speaker Murrell Smith, May was suspended from his duties following the indictment. During Thursday’s nearly two-hour arraignment hearing, Stirling emphasized the principle of innocence until proven guilty but noted the serious nature of the charges.
The indictment includes evidence from Kik showing that May allegedly transmitted 265 videos of child sexual abuse material and engaged in extensive messaging on the platform with discussions indicative of trading such materials. Forensic analysis of May’s phone revealed that he deleted several apps associated with messaging shortly after the investigation began. Additionally, evidence suggested that he had used an alias and had engaged in questionable online interactions that aligned with behavior trends seen in sex work.
The documents further revealed that investigators had seized a number of devices from May, as part of an ongoing investigation, and previously requested additional time to analyze the evidence collected.
State law dictates that representatives indicted on certain criminal charges, including felonies, are automatically suspended without pay until their legal case concludes, whether through acquittal, conviction, or other resolutions.
The allegations against May cast a dark shadow over his career, and the case is currently being closely monitored as more details unfold. Public interest remains high regarding the potential implications for the South Carolina legislative system and the ongoing efforts against child exploitation.
This timely report serves as a critical reminder of the vigilance required to protect children and the ongoing commitment needed to address such significant societal issues.