Former South Carolina State Representative R.J. May III, once a prominent figure in the state’s Republican Party, pleaded guilty on September 29, 2025, to five federal counts of distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
According to the Associated Press, the charges stem from his use of the Kik messaging app under the screen name “joebidennnn69” to share over 200 explicit videos involving toddlers and young children between March 30 and April 4, 2024. Each count carries a potential sentence of 5 to 20 years in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for January 14, 2026.
The investigation revealed that May used his personal home Wi-Fi often during legislative sessions to distribute the illicit material. Authorities also examined his online activity, including a Mega account under the alias “Eric Rentling,” which contained messages arranging sexual encounters.
Additionally, May is accused of traveling to Colombia under a false identity, where he allegedly engaged in sexual activities with underage individuals; however, these allegations have not resulted in formal charges.
May’s arrest and political record
May, 38, was arrested in June 2025 and had been representing himself in court before his guilty plea. He faces additional penalties, including mandatory sex offender registration, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a minimum of five years of supervised release. May is also required to pay $40,000 in restitution to assist victims of trafficking and child sexual abuse.
Before his arrest, May was a co-founder of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus, a conservative faction within the state legislature. He was known for his vocal opposition to transgender healthcare rights and his support for stringent abortion restrictions. May also advocated for parental rights in education and opposed the teaching of gender identity in schools. Despite his political influence, he resigned from his legislative seat on August 11, 2025, amid the federal investigation.
Published: Oct 1, 2025 05:17 am