A Republican member of South Carolina’s state house, RJ May, has been arrested and charged with 10 counts of distributing sexual abuse material involving children under the screen name “joebidennnn69.” The arrest followed a lengthy investigation, with May ordered to remain jailed until his trial. May is accused of exchanging 220 files depicting toddlers and young children in sex acts on the Kik social media network over a five-day period in spring 2024. Prosecutors detailed that the files were uploaded and downloaded using May’s home wifi network and cellphone, some of which were linked directly to his internet addresses.

Facing a potential five-to-20-year prison sentence per charge, May’s lawyer suggested a possible frame-up, pointing to political enemies. The prosecution revealed investigations into May’s alleged travels to Colombia, where videos on his laptop showed him engaging in sexual activities with underage individuals. Despite denials of direct evidence of child sexual abuse on his devices, May’s involvement in such activities has led to his suspension from the state house and expulsion from the Freedom caucus, a group he helped establish.

As the case unfolds, May’s past statements advocating for child protection stand in stark contrast to the serious allegations he now faces. The unfolding legal proceedings have brought a swift fall from grace for May, with former allies distancing themselves and the house speaker taking action in response to the indictment. The courtroom drama surrounding May’s case underscores the complexity and gravity of the charges, raising questions about accountability and the protection of vulnerable individuals in society.