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RJ May
American politician (born 1986) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Robert John 'RJ' May III (born October 18, 1986) is an American politician. He is a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 88th District, serving from 2020. He is a member of the Republican Party.[1] On June 12, 2025, the speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives suspended May after he was indicted, arrested, arraigned and held without bail on ten federal counts of possessing and distributing child sexual abusive material.[2]
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Education and career
May was born in Newport News, Virginia. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Arts in security and diplomacy from Tel Aviv University.[3]
He has served as Executive Director of South Carolina Club for Growth and on Catherine Templeton's 2018 gubernatorial campaign, as well as founding political consulting firm Ivory Tusk Consulting.[4]
Political career
South Carolina House of Representatives
May ran for the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2020 in the 88th district, where incumbent Republican McLain Toole was retiring.[5] He placed second in the Republican primary election with 24.5% of the vote, then defeated Michael Sturkie in the runoff election with 53.2% of the vote.[6] He was elected unopposed in the general election.[4]
In 2021 May was elected as the Vice Chairman of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus.[7] He also serves on the House Agriculture, Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Committee, and on its Environmental Affairs subcommittee.[8]
May told the House in January 2024 regarding transgender issues and children: "We as legislators have an obligation to insure that our children have no harm done to them".[9]
2024 House race
May faced a write-in candidate, Republican Brian Duncan, in his SC House race.[10][11] He was re-elected with 68% of the vote.[12][13][14] On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, May was sworn in and took his seat in the State House.[15]
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Legal issues
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Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) allegations
On May 27, 2024, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cyber tip from Kik Messenger flagging videos from username “joebidennnn69” containing child sexual abuse, according to a statement from the United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina Bryan Stirling.[16]
In August 2024 May's house was searched in conjunction with an investigation into potential child sexual abuse material (CSAM), more commonly referred to as child pornography. The investigation was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Special Investigations Unit (HSI) along with support from the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED).[17]
On October 24, 2024, a federal document was filed in US District Court for South Carolina with a motion to extend time to file judicial forfeiture action.[18] Then in December 2024, May was suspended from the South Carolina Freedom Caucus amid the ongoing investigation.[19]
Indictment and arrest
On June 10, 2025, May was indicted by a federal grand jury on 10 counts of federal child sex abuse charges.[20][21][22] Then on June 11, 2025, May was arrested and booked into Lexington County Detention Center.[23][24] Jordan Pace, Chair of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus, issued a statement calling for May's immediate resignation.[25]
On June 12, 2025, May was suspended without pay from the South Carolina House of Representatives as required by state law, pending the case’s outcome, according to a document from House Speaker Murrell Smith’s office.[26][27] An arraignment was held before United States Magistrate Judge Shiva V. Hodges, during which evidence was presented by a representative of the Department of Homeland Security, and bond for May was denied.[28][29] May pled not guilty and is detained without bail.[30][31]
On June 13, 2025, the South Carolina House Republican Caucus issued a statement from House Majority Leader Davey Hiott noting that Hiott had filed a complaint with the House Ethics Committee to further investigate May, a procedure which starts the process of expulsion from the House of Representatives. The letter further noted that May was not a member of the SC House Republican Caucus, but was instead a creator and member of the 'fringe' South Carolina Freedom Caucus.[32] [33] Drew McKissick, Chair of the South Carolina Republican Party, released a statement demanding that May resign his seat in the House of Representatives.[34] The Attorney General of South Carolina Alan Wilson also released a statement affirming that the investigation of May was conducted by federal partners who are members of the South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.[35] Governor Henry McMaster called the charges 'horrific'. Commenting on whether May should resign his seat, the governor remarked “that question’s going to be answered for him” if the House of Representatives passes an expulsion by a two-thirds vote. [36]
Court proceedings
On June 24, 2025, May appeared before a federal judge without legal counsel. He requested and was assigned a court appointed public defender.[37] May presented a financial affidavit stating that he had no assets in his name other than his truck.[38] Public defender Jenny Smith was appointed to represent May, taking over from Columbia attorney Dayne Phillips. The federal case was assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Cameron McGowan Currie. May is held at Edgefield County Detention Center.[39]
House Ethics Committee proceedings
On July 1, 2025, the South Carolina House Ethics Committee voted to open an Ethics investigation into "potential misuse of office and alleged conduct unbecoming of a member". House rules do not allow the identity of the member to be revealed during the investigation.[40] House Ethics Chairman Jay Jordan retained outside attorneys to avoid conflict of interest,[41] and hopes the investigation will be completed this year.[42] The Committee met for an hour, with some time spent in executive session.[43] [44] [45] Members of the 2025 House Ethics Committee are: J. David Weeks Vice-Chairman, Paula Rawl Calhoon, Neal A. Collins, Val Guest, Beth E. Bernstein Secretary, John Richard C. King, Robert D. Robbins. J. Todd Rutherford and Leonidas E. “Leon” Stavrinakis.[46]
On July 9, 2025, Brian Duncan, who in 2024 had organized an unsuccessful write-in campaign for the District 88 seat, called on May to resign so that a special election could be held to fill the seat.[47]
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References
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