RJ May served as a Republican lawmaker in the South Carolina State House. He was formally charged with distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Prosecutors allege that May utilized the screen name “joebidennnn69” to exchange 220 distinct files depicting toddlers and young children engaged in sex acts on the Kik social media network. This activity reportedly spanned approximately five days in spring 2024.
The files were purportedly uploaded and downloaded using May’s home Wi-Fi network and his cellphone, with some hidden by a private network while others were directly linked to his internet addresses.
During his arraignment, May’s legal counsel suggested that another individual might have accessed his Wi-Fi password, which was reportedly visible on a board behind a photograph potentially posted online by his wife. The old Josh Duggar defense: someone else must have used my computer!
In terms of legal status, May faces 10 felony counts, each carrying a potential prison sentence of five to 20 years upon conviction. He is currently held without bond at the Edgefield County jail and is awaiting trial, updates below.
Politically, May resigned from his seat in the state House. His resignation letter was received by House leaders stating that the decision was “in the best interests of my family and constituents” but notably omitting any mention of the charges.
Calls for his resignation were nearly unanimous within the South Carolina House, including from members of the conservative Freedom Caucus, which he helped establish. The House Ethics Committee had initiated an investigation the month prior, which appeared to be the initial step towards expelling him from the House.
The case of RJ May illustrates a particularly rapid and severe political response compared to other types of sexual misconduct allegations. The nature of the charges, involving child sexual abuse material, is universally condemned and carries a distinct legal gravity compared to other forms of sexual misconduct.
May’s formal charging and detention without bond underscore the serious nature of the evidence and the immediate response from the legal system. The nearly unanimous calls for his resignation and the swift initiation of an ethics investigation, culminating in his resignation prior to trial, demonstrate that allegations involving children, particularly CSAM, trigger an immediate and decisive political reaction.
This response often overrides typical political defenses or delays, highlighting a clear, zero-tolerance approach from both the legal system and the political establishment when such grave accusations emerge, which stands in shocking contrast to current political dialogue and defenses related to the Epstein victims.
May’s trial was pushed back and is currently set to begin jury selection on October 8, with a trial start date of October 9th; the trial is expected to take place over 6 days.
Notably, May is being defended by a Public Defender, who is currently attempting to have the warrants used to seize May’s electronic equipment thrown out, with a ruling on that matter expected in late September.
Sources:
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article311760370.html
JJ Hastings 
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