State representative RJ May arrested in Lexington County

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) — State Rep. Robert “RJ” May (R-Lexington) was taken into custody Wednesday in Lexington County, according to jail records.

May was listed briefly on the Lexington County Detention Center’s booking page with “Hold for DUSM”, meaning the Deputy U.S. Marshal, but the posting was later removed from the website.

Agents with Homeland Security Investigations seized nearly three dozen electronic devices belonging to May last August as part of an ongoing criminal investigation, according to a federal court filing. No specific details regarding the investigation or what charges he could possibly face were included in the 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 Wednesday evening statement, Chairman Rep. Jordan Pace (R-Berkeley) said that May was no longer part of the caucus and had not been involved with its operations since August 2024.

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

This story is developing and may be updated.