Republican South Carolina State Representative RJ May has been arrested and charged with multiple federal counts related to the distribution of child sexual abuse material. The charges stem from an investigation that began after the social messaging app Kik alerted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about videos containing child sex abuse material being shared from an account with the username "joebidennnn69."
According to court documents, investigators linked the "joebidennnn69" account to May's mobile device and home IP address. Prosecutors allege that May used this account to exchange 220 files of toddlers and young children involved in sex acts on the Kik social media network over approximately five days in the spring of 2024.
Details of the Allegations
The U.S. Attorney's Office stated that Kik compiled data from May's alleged account in July 2024, revealing 265 videos depicting child sexual abuse material. The data also indicated that the account sent or received nearly 1,150 messages.
During May's arraignment, his lawyer suggested that someone else could have used his home wifi password, which may have been exposed online. The lawyer also argued that investigators had not directly linked each Kik message to May.
Legal Proceedings and Consequences
A federal judge has ordered May to remain detained until his trial. Each of the 10 charges against May carries a prison sentence of five to twenty years upon conviction. Prosecutors have suggested that May could face more than a decade in prison if found guilty.
Following the charges, South Carolina House Speaker Murrell Smith suspended May from his role in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina Bryan Stirling stated, "Everybody's innocent until proven guilty in a court of law." He directed attention to the testimony and court filings for further information.
Key Points:
- RJ May, a South Carolina State Representative, has been arrested on federal child sex abuse material charges.
- The investigation was triggered by a report from Kik regarding an account sharing child sex abuse material.
- Prosecutors allege May used the username "joebidennnn69" to distribute the material.
- May has been suspended from his role in the South Carolina House of Representatives and ordered to remain detained until trial.