Freedom Caucus Founder Falls: SC Rep Charged in Child Exploitation Scandal

Paul Riverbank, 6/14/2025 In a deeply troubling development, South Carolina State Rep. RJ May III faces federal charges for distributing child abuse materials. The three-term legislator and House Freedom Caucus founder now confronts serious legal consequences, marking a stark fall from his public persona of championing family values and child protection.

Let me break this down. Federal prosecutors say May, a three-term Republican lawmaker, shared hundreds of files containing child abuse materials through Kik messenger. The platform flagged suspicious activity this spring, but here's what's particularly jarring – they claim he used the username "joebidennnn69," an apparent attempt to mock the current president while allegedly committing these crimes.

I spoke with several statehouse veterans yesterday. Many struggled to reconcile the public persona of May, a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus and vocal advocate for child protection, with the disturbing allegations now before us. Just this January, he stood on the House floor championing children's safety during a heated debate about transgender healthcare. The irony is impossible to ignore.

The investigation's scope is breathtaking. When federal agents raided May's West Columbia home last August, they carted away laptops, phones, tablets – enough electronics to stock a small Best Buy. His lawyers have floated the possibility of unauthorized WiFi access, but sources close to the investigation tell me prosecutors aren't buying it.

Governor McMaster's office didn't mince words, calling the allegations "abhorrent" and "disgusting." That's unusually strong language from an administration typically careful with its statements about ongoing investigations.

The charges are severe – we're talking potential decades behind bars. Each of the 10 counts carries up to 20 years in federal prison. Prosecutors want May held without bail, citing a chilling detail: his own children's ages reportedly match those of victims in the materials.

There's more. During court proceedings, a Homeland Security official testified about videos allegedly showing May engaged in concerning behavior during trips to Colombia. I've covered enough political scandals to know there's often more beneath the surface.

The House Freedom Caucus didn't waste time – they kicked him out faster than a bad committee vote. It's a stunning fall for someone who built his career on family values and child protection.

Looking ahead, this case raises troubling questions about trust in public officials. As my old editor used to say, "Power doesn't corrupt people; it reveals them." Sometimes those revelations shake us to our core.

May remains in federal custody as the justice system grinds forward. Meanwhile, South Carolina politics continues its uncomfortable reckoning with a case that feels more like a nightmare than reality.

The arrest of South Carolina State Representative RJ May III on federal child exploitation charges has left the state's political establishment reeling. As someone who's covered state politics for over two decades, I can't recall a case that's generated such immediate shock waves through Columbia's corridors of power.Let me break this down. Federal prosecutors say May, a three-term Republican lawmaker, shared hundreds of files containing child abuse materials through Kik messenger. The platform flagged suspicious activity this spring, but here's what's particularly jarring – they claim he used the username "joebidennnn69," an apparent attempt to mock the current president while allegedly committing these crimes.I spoke with several statehouse veterans yesterday. Many struggled to reconcile the public persona of May, a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus and vocal advocate for child protection, with the disturbing allegations now before us. Just this January, he stood on the House floor championing children's safety during a heated debate about transgender healthcare. The irony is impossible to ignore.The investigation's scope is breathtaking. When federal agents raided May's West Columbia home last August, they carted away laptops, phones, tablets – enough electronics to stock a small Best Buy. His lawyers have floated the possibility of unauthorized WiFi access, but sources close to the investigation tell me prosecutors aren't buying it.Governor McMaster's office didn't mince words, calling the allegations "abhorrent" and "disgusting." That's unusually strong language from an administration typically careful with its statements about ongoing investigations.The charges are severe – we're talking potential decades behind bars. Each of the 10 counts carries up to 20 years in federal prison. Prosecutors want May held without bail, citing a chilling detail: his own children's ages reportedly match those of victims in the materials.There's more. During court proceedings, a Homeland Security official testified about videos allegedly showing May engaged in concerning behavior during trips to Colombia. I've covered enough political scandals to know there's often more beneath the surface.The House Freedom Caucus didn't waste time – they kicked him out faster than a bad committee vote. It's a stunning fall for someone who built his career on family values and child protection.Looking ahead, this case raises troubling questions about trust in public officials. As my old editor used to say, "Power doesn't corrupt people; it reveals them." Sometimes those revelations shake us to our core.May remains in federal custody as the justice system grinds forward. Meanwhile, South Carolina politics continues its uncomfortable reckoning with a case that feels more like a nightmare than reality.