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Former South Carolina GOP Lawmaker R.J. May Pleads Guilty to Five Federal Counts in Child Sexual Abuse Material Case

Prosecutors say digital forensics linked a Kik account to May’s devices, connecting them to hundreds of illicit files.

FILE - South Carolina Rep. RJ May, R-West Columbia, walks down the aisle of the House on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in Columbia, South Carolina. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins, file)
FILE - Republican South Carolina Rep. R.J. May of Lexington sits at his new desk during the organizational session for the House on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins, file)
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Overview

  • Robert John “RJ” May III entered a guilty plea on Monday to five counts of distributing child sexual abuse material in federal court.
  • The plea agreement exposes May to five to 20 years in prison on each count, fines up to $250,000 per count, and mandatory sex‑offender registration.
  • Investigators traced the Kik username “joebidennnn69” to May’s home IP address and mobile device after a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
  • Prosecutors said the account sought “Bad moms. Bad dads. Bad pre teens,” and they described 220 files involving toddlers and young children tied to the activity.
  • In court, prosecutors also referenced videos found on May’s laptop that they said show him having sex with three girls they believe to be underage; May was indicted in June, denied bond, and resigned his House seat in August while representing himself.