Robert J. (RJ) May, III, was a Republican member of the South Carolina State House of Representatives, but was suspended in June 2025 after his arrest for distribution of child sexual abuse material.
Before running for his seat, May worked for the SC Club for Growth, the anti-tax group. The national Club for Growth is the largest funder of Republican candidates behind the Republican party. He is one of the founders of the Freedom Caucus in the SC House.
In August 2024, federal investigators searched his home and seized electronic equipment. In October 2024, prosecutors filed documents saying an indictment would come soon.
He was indicted on ten counts of distributing child sexual abuse material and is being held without bail. He is also suspected of traveling to Colombia for sex with three women who may have been underage. If so, it’s rape, but the women have not been found. His lawyer is claiming he might have been framed.
In September 2025, he signed papers to a plea deal where he pleads guilty to five of the ten counts, sentencing could be from five to 20 years in prison on each charge. He will also be listed as a sex offender and may be fined up to $250,000.
- Dept. of Justice: West Columbia Man Indicted for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material
- South Carolina Daily Gazette: SC representative charged with distributing child sexual abuse material
- KKTV 11: Prosecutors say Republican lawmaker used name ‘joebidennnn69’ to send child sex material
- AP: GOP lawmaker with ‘joebidennnn69′ screen name to plead guilty to sharing child sex abuse videos
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