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One day after his arrest by federal authorities, South Carolina state representative RJ May III appeared in federal court and was formally arraigned on criminal charges tied to an ongoing federal child pornography investigation.
May’s arraignment took place at 10:30 a.m. EDT at the Matthew Perry Courthouse located at 901 Richland Street in downtown Columbia. After careful consideration of the evidence arrayed against the third-term lawmaker, a federal magistrate opted against releasing May on bond as the case against him begins moving through the system.
The charges against May — which were unsealed earlier today — stem from a nearly year-long probe led by the special investigations unit (HSI) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). That investigation began with an August 2024 raid on May’s West Columbia residence – first reported by FITSNews – during which agents seized dozens of electronic devices. According to law enforcement sources and court filings, digital forensic analysis revealed evidence that led to May’s federal indictment.
News of May’s arrest was exclusively reported by our Andy Fancher. It comes less than two weeks after we reported his arrest was “imminent.”
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The nine-page indictment (.pdf) released by federal authorities accused May of multiple felonies related to the possession of child sexual abuse materials — charges that carry significant potential prison time upon conviction.
Specifically, the indictment alleged that May accessed and distributed child pornography (a.k.a. “child sex abuse materials”) on the Kik app using the alias “Eric Rentling” and the screen name JoeBidennnn69. Kik was designed as a messaging app for kids. Sadly, it one of many platforms online where pedophiles and purveyors of child pornography seek to lure unsuspecting targets.
On at least ten occasions, May is accused of sending graphic video files depicting child sex abuse to other users on the Kik app.
“In April 2024, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cyber-tip from the social messaging app Kik,” a statement from the office of U.S. attorney Bryan Stirling noted. “Kik flagged several videos from the username ‘joebidennnn69’ as containing child sexual abuse. Investigators connected the account to the home IP address and mobile device of May and identified at least 10 videos depicting child sexual abuse that were shared from the account.”
A subsequent federal motion to keep May behind bars pending the disposition of the charges against him described these videos in horrifying detail. Among the files the lawmaker allegedly shared? Graphic depictions of child sex abuse – including the rape of toddlers – bestiality, incest and other depravities.
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May is also alleged to have discussed his child sex abuse fetish with others on the Kik app, per the government’s motion for detention (.pdf).
“May engaged in discussions with other like-minded pedophiles about the type of images he was interested in receiving back from them in exchange for what he sent,” federal prosecutors alleged. “For example, in one conversation, May made express requests for familial incest themed child pornography.”
It was this request prosecutors cited in their successful motion to keep May detained.
“Importantly, May is the father of two young children under the age of ten with whom he lives,” prosecutors noted. “ln other words, his Kik activity reveals that he has a sexual interest in children the same age as his own children. Moreover, his Kik activity clearly demonstrates that he has a sexual interest in incest between a father (like himself) and young children (like his own children) as well as incest between young children and their mother (like his wife).”
According to federal authorities, May faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison with a minimum of five years, a fine of $250,000, and a term of at least five years of supervised release to follow any term of imprisonment.
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RELATED | FEDS ARREST RJ MAY
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May, 38, was arrested at his home around 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday (June 11, 2025) and booked into the Lexington County Detention Center. Within hours, the S.C. Freedom Caucus — the conservative voting bloc he once led — voted unanimously to expel him and called for his immediate resignation from office.
A prominent figure in state politics, May was first elected to the S.C. House in 2020. His fall from grace marks a dramatic turn in a saga that blends criminal allegations, political fallout and questions about how the investigation remained under wraps for so long.
May’s case will be prosecuted by assistant U.S. attorneys Scott Matthews and Dean Secor – along with Austin M. Berry of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)’s child exploitation and obscenity section.
As with anyone accused of committing any crime, May is considered innocent until proven guilty by our criminal justice system – or until such time as he may wish to enter some form of allocution in connection with a plea agreement with prosecutors related to any of the charges filed against him.
FITSNews is live in Columbia covering today’s arraignment and will be providing real-time updates, in-depth analysis, and exclusive reporting as this story continues to unfold.
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THE LIVE FEED
(Latest updates load first, please scroll down for previous updates)
3:35 p.m. EDT – May was booked into the Barnwell County Detention Center at 3:15 p.m. EDT.
RJ May was booked into the Barnwell County Detention Center at 3:15 p.m. @fitsnews pic.twitter.com/qrfh4iWjhQ
— Jennifer Wood (@IndyJenn_) June 12, 2025
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3:31 p.m. EDT – A signed copy of RJ May III’s not guilty plea has been filed in the federal court system. A minute entry in the system noted Columbia-based criminal defense attorney, Dayne Phillips, made a special appearance in court today with May — but no formal notice of representation has been filed yet. An attorney status hearing has been scheduled for June 24, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. EDT.
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2:16 p.m. EDT – Regarding that rumored plea agreement…
Dispelling a big rumor circulating online today regarding the @RJMayIII case: per our sources, May was NOT offered a plea agreement from the feds. His attorneys were reportedly approached to discuss whether they were open to negotiations, but never responded to the government.
— FITSNews (@fitsnews) June 12, 2025
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2:10 p.m. EDT – An important point…
An important line from the government's motion to detain @RJMayIII (for those seeking to politicize this event): "If he can hide this criminal activity from the person he shares a bedroom with…" exactly. pic.twitter.com/1PpEPhnCbG
— FITSNews (@fitsnews) June 12, 2025
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12:53 p.m. EDT – U.S. magistrate Shiva V. Hodges has denied bond for RJ May III…
NO BOND for ?@RJMayIII?…. pic.twitter.com/HXlswpmodZ
— FITSNews (@fitsnews) June 12, 2025
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12:48 p.m. EDT – Will Folks on the damning details contained in the government’s brief to support detention for RJ May III…
The latest on the @RJMayIII saga… pic.twitter.com/vuKnlx0Jvn
— FITSNews (@fitsnews) June 12, 2025
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11:44 a.m. EDT – Looks like RJ May III’s alias, “Eric Rentling,” has an active Facebook profile… one references “see you tomorrow in Medellin (one of the locations where May is alleged to have engaged in international prostitution).
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11:36 a.m. EDT – Our founding editor Will Folks reporting on the contents of the feds’ motion to detain RJ May III…
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The federal motion to detain @RJMayIII provides graphic details on the files he allegedly shared with other users on the Kik app. Horrific depictions of child sex abuse, bestiality, incest, etc. May is also alleged to have traveled internationally to engage in prostitution.
— Will Folks (@TheWillFolks) June 12, 2025
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11:28 a.m. EDT – The federal motion to detain RJ May III is one of the most graphic things we’ve ever read. If this behavior is proven, there is no punishment too severe for him.
11:22 a.m. EDT – Here is the U.S. attorney’s motion to keep RJ May III detained…
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(U.S. District Court)
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11:05 a.m. EDT – Confirmed. Federal prosecutors asked U.S. magistrate Shiva V. Hodges to hold RJ May III without bond.
10:43 a.m. EDT – Sources are telling FITSNews federal authorities may push for RJ May III to be denied bond. Stay tuned…
10:24 a.m. EDT – May’s suspension from office has been announced…
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Once an indictment for a crime of moral turpitude against a sitting lawmaker is filed, that lawmaker is automatically suspended pending the resolution of the chargest against them. This letter from @SCHouseSpeaker serves as notification of this suspension to @RJMayIII. pic.twitter.com/j2wFcwgypS
— FITSNews (@fitsnews) June 12, 2025
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10:23 a.m. EDT – In addition to the unsealing of the indictment against May, a standing discovery order (.pdf) was also filed. This order – signed by U.S. magistrate William S. Brown – addresses the government’s authority to disclose grand jury materials and the defense’s obligations in handling those materials.
10:14 a.m. EDT – Underscoring the seriousness of the charges against May – and the evidence federal authorities believe they have against him – a veteran attorney just told me “the U.S. attorney doesn’t indict you unless they know they can convict you.”
10:10 a.m. EDT – An absolute media circus at the courthouse for May’s arraignment… at least a dozen reporters are present, many already inside – others staking out the front of the courthouse, others watching a side entrance where May is believed to be entering ahead of his arraignment.
9:54 a.m. EDT – FITSNews founding editor Will Folks reporting from the federal courthouse in downtown Columbia, S.C. ahead of today’s arraignment hearing.
Our ?@TheWillFolks? is on the scene at the Matthew J. Perry federal courthouse in downtown Columbia, S.C. for this morning’s arraignment hearing for @RJMayIII pic.twitter.com/LxLY5JtlRX
— FITSNews (@fitsnews) June 12, 2025
9:44 a.m. EDT – The feds have released their statement on May’s indictment…
A federal grand jury in Greenville returned a 10-count indictment against Robert John May III, 38, of West Columbia, for distributing child sexual abuse material.@HSI_Charlotte investigated.
— U.S. Attorney SC (@USAO_SC) June 12, 2025
? https://t.co/gclThcTfXg pic.twitter.com/HS3OewA7mb
9:32 a.m. EDT – Upon the unsealing of his indictment, May was statutorily suspended from office pending the resolution of the charges against him. A formal announcement of his suspension is suspected later this morning.
9:20 a.m. EDT – Our team is on site at the U.S. district courthouse in downtown Columbia, S.C.
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THE INDICTMENT…
(U.S. District Court)
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
As a private investigator turned journalist, Jenn Wood brings a unique skill set to FITSNews as its research director. Known for her meticulous sourcing and victim-centered approach, she helps shape the newsroom’s most complex investigative stories while producing the FITSFiles and Cheer Incorporated podcasts. Jenn lives in South Carolina with her family, where her work continues to spotlight truth, accountability, and justice.
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4 comments
Ha ha ha ha FAT FUCK REPUBELICAN PEDOPHILE…WHO SUPPORTS TRUMP
RJ is in a lot of SERIOUS TROUBLE. His political career is down the toilet and he’s looking at serious time. What the hell is the world coming to?
I wonder if he’s more concerned about the 20’ish years he’s going to spend in prison – or not having all his child porn to whack off to??
An important line from the government’s motion to detain @RJMayIII (for those seeking to politicize this event): “If he can hide this criminal activity from the person he shares a bedroom with…” exactly.
That is a line from your tweet. What the hell does this mean? All this blog does is politicize events. Don’t start crying now because it is one of your people.