South Carolina Lawmaker RJ May Remains in Jail Amid Child Abuse Material Charges
Columbia, SC – South Carolina Republican lawmaker RJ May is set to remain in custody as he awaits trial on ten counts of distributing child sexual abuse material. U.S. Magistrate Judge Shiva Hodges deemed the evidence against the 38-year-old significant during his recent court appearance, noting concerns for his safety and that of his two young children.
May was arrested on Wednesday at his West Columbia residence, following a raid by U.S. Homeland Security Investigation agents last August, which resulted in the seizure of various electronic devices. At his first federal court appearance, May, who entered a plea of not guilty, was shackled and faced serious allegations, including using the username “joebidennnn69” to distribute over 200 files containing disturbing content via the messaging app Kik.
Federal prosecutors indicated that the case against May is robust, referencing a cyber tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that traced material to his home IP address. The evidence indicated that May utilized a smartphone linked to his account multiple times, engaging in discussions about trading illicit materials.
Despite his attorney, Dayne Phillips, suggesting that an outside party may have accessed May’s accounts, the prosecution emphasized the strength of the evidence, suggesting he could face a lengthy prison sentence if convicted. Charges carry potential sentences of 5 to 20 years, along with hefty fines.
House Speaker Murrell Smith has suspended May without pay, as calls for his resignation have emerged, including from the House Freedom Caucus, which May was instrumental in founding. As the legal proceedings unfold, May’s political future appears uncertain, and he faces mounting scrutiny from both law enforcement and constituents.
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