State rep. speaks out on racially motivated texts received by constituents

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Unsolicited texts with messaging regarding slavery have hit the phones of several people in the Lowcountry, according to a state leader.

South Carolina State Representative Tiffany Spann-Wilder (D) of District 109 said in the last few days she has been contacted by constituents who reported racially motived texts, mostly targeted at black college students.

“Some say ‘you’ve been selected to go to your nearest plantation. A van will pick you up.’ The van has been noted to be brown in some messages,” Rep. Spann-Wilder recalled.

She sent News 2 several screenshots of the messages which all contain similar wording. For example, “you have been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation,” before claiming, “Executive Slaves will come get you in a brown van.”

The Clemson University Police Department announced they investigated and said the numbers have been determined to be associated with online spoofing sites.

Rep. Spann-Wilder said she took the texts to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and encouraged anyone who receives the messages to do the same in their respective jurisdictions.

“I would tell anyone to do a screenshot,” Rep. Spann-Wilder. “You want to take a screenshot so that one, for the basis of evidence, if these folks are identified and prosecuted to see where that number came from.”

CCSO confirmed to News 2 they have received the representative’s report and said their intelligence unit is aware and is investigating.

We reached out to SLED but have not heard back.