Republican state representative RJ May indicted for distributing child sex abuse material

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) — State Rep. Robert “RJ” May (R-Lexington) is facing federal charges in connection with a child sexual exploitation investigation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina.

May, 38, was taken into custody June 11 in Lexington County and charged with 10 counts of distributing child sexual abuse material. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, with a minimum of five years and a $250,000 fine.

He is set to be arraigned June 12 at 10:30 a.m. at the federal courthouse in Columbia.

Prosecutors said the investigation began in April 2024 after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cyber-tip from the social messaging app Kik, which had flagged several videos depicting child sexual abuse shared from the user “joebidennnn69.”

At least 10 videos were shared from the account, which was later traced to May’s home IP address and mobile device.

Agents with Homeland Security Investigations seized nearly three dozen electronic devices belonging to May last August as part of the ongoing criminal investigation, according to a federal court filing.

May has represented District 88 in the South Carolina House since 2021, and previously served as vice-chair of the hardline conservative South Carolina Freedom Caucus.

In a June 11 statement, Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Jordan Pace (R-Berkeley) said that May was no longer part of the group and had not been involved with its operations since August 2024.

“We call for his immediate resignation from the House,” Pace said.

State law requires that the House Speaker immediately suspend any member, without pay, indicted on a felony charge in state or federal court. The suspension remains in effect until the member is acquitted, convicted, pleads guilty, or pleads no contest.

House Speaker Murrell Smith’s office confirmed May was suspended on June 12.

“As usual, the Speaker’s office does not comment on ongoing criminal investigations,” a statement from the office read.

This story is developing and may be updated.