US EditionSouth Carolina lawmaker awaiting trial on child sex abuse material charges resigns from office
SOUTH CAROLINA, AUG 12 – May faces 10 federal counts for distributing over 200 videos of child sexual abuse material and remains jailed pending trial with a potential 20-year sentence, officials said.
- On Aug. 11, 2025, RJ May resigned from the South Carolina House of Representatives, confirmed by the House Speaker’s Office on Monday.
- On June 12, 2025, House leadership suspended May without pay after House Majority Leader Davey Hiott filed an ethics complaint over his conduct and the 'sick nature' of his conduct.
- According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, May faces ten federal charges for distributing more than 200 videos, with investigators tracing at least 10 videos to his device and IP address, and Kik’s data showing 958 home Wi-Fi accesses.
- A special election is expected to be called for House District 88 before the 2026 General Assembly session, following May’s resignation. This timing aims to ensure his replacement is chosen beforehand.
- On Aug. 20, 2025, a pretrial conference is scheduled in Columbia with jury selection as early as September 2025, while May remains held at Edgefield County jail without bond.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Associated Press News
South Carolina lawmaker awaiting trial on child sex abuse material charges resigns from office
A Republican lawmaker in South Carolina has resigned from the House while awaiting trial on charges of distributing child sexual abuse material.
SC legislator resigns seat following charges for distributing child sexual abuse material
Rep. RJ May, R-West Columbia, pictured Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, resigned his House seat following charges of distributing child sexual abuse material. (Photo by Mary Ann Chastain/Special to the SC Daily Gazette)COLUMBIA — Rep. RJ May has resigned his House seat two months after his arrest on charges of distributing child sexual abuse material, according to a letter the House Speaker’s Office received Monday. The West Columbia Republican, who rem…
SC Rep. charged with child sex crimes resigns
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSAV) — South Carolina Representative Robert John “RJ” May resigned from the state's House of Representatives in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House on Aug. 7. The letter was received by the South Carolina Statehouse Monday. WSAV obtained a copy of the letter. May was arrested and indicted in June on counts of distributing child sex abuse material. SC Rep. RJ May facing 10 counts of child sex charges, bond denied …
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