A former South Carolina Republican lawmaker who railed against transgender care for minors now serves 17.5 years in federal prison for distributing child sex abuse videos of toddlers, exposing the devastating consequences of personal moral failure.
Story Highlights
- Robert John “RJ” May III, 39, sentenced January 14, 2026, to 17.5 years for sharing 220 CSAM files over five days in spring 2024 via Kik app.
- May publicly championed child protection laws, including bans on gender-affirming care, while privately committing crimes that revictimize innocent children.
- Federal judge imposed lifetime sex offender registration, $58,500 restitution, 20 years supervised release, and permanent loss of voting and gun rights.
- Prosecutors sought 20 years, citing hypocrisy; defense blamed addiction and trauma, but judge stressed deep harm to victims.
The Crime and Guilty Plea
Robert John “RJ” May III, a former South Carolina House Republican, pleaded guilty on September 30, 2025, to five counts of distributing child sexual abuse material. In spring 2024, May used the Kik app under username “joebidennnn69” to exchange 220 files showing toddlers and young children abused, including by parents. Kik flagged the activity and reported it to federal authorities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina prosecuted the case, labeling it an abusive distribution scheme harming hundreds of victims through perpetual revictimization.
May’s Public Hypocrisy Exposed
May served his third term pushing conservative child protection measures. In January 2024, he spoke on the House floor advocating safeguards against transgender care for minors, voting eight times for related laws. This stance positioned him as a protector of children amid South Carolina’s debates on gender-affirming restrictions. Yet his private actions directly contradicted this image, sharing materials that exploit the most vulnerable. Federal probation officials recommended 17-22 years based on guidelines.
Sentencing Details and Judicial Rationale
On January 14, 2026, U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie sentenced May to 210 months in prison, below prosecutors’ 20-year request but firm on accountability. The judge highlighted May’s public hypocrisy and the profound, ongoing trauma to victims whose images circulate indefinitely. May must pay $58,500 in restitution, register as a lifetime sex offender, endure 20 years supervised release, and forfeit voting and gun rights—core losses for any citizen valuing liberty and self-defense.
May apologized in a letter, citing pornography addiction worsened by testosterone treatments, family ruin (wife left, penniless), and abusive upbringing. Seven relatives submitted letters seeking mercy, noting his academic honors like the William Jefferson Clinton Scholarship. Prosecutors countered that his deliberate choices amplified abuse. Victims’ statements detailed lifelong harm. Defense sought five years for redemption; the sentence reflects balanced justice.
Impacts on Family, Community, and Conservatism
May’s imprisonment creates immediate family separation, barring him from his children’s events, and a political vacuum in the South Carolina House. His base loses a vocal advocate on child safety and traditional values. Broader effects heighten scrutiny on lawmakers’ conduct, reinforcing federal crackdowns on CSAM via platforms like Kik. South Carolina precedents, including a 40-year sentence for another exploiter, underscore regional enforcement. This case damages trust in those preaching family values while failing privately.
Sources:
Prosecutors want 20-year sentence for ex-South Carolina lawmaker for sharing child sex abuse videos
GOP Lawmaker Trans Attacks CSAM Conviction
Former SC Lawmaker Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material
