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By Jenna Sundel and Gabe Whisnant
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A former South Carolina state lawmaker who prosecutors say used the screen name “joebidennnn69” has agreed to plead guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material.
RJ May, 38, signed court papers Friday to change his plea just weeks before his trial was set to begin.
Why It Matters
Prosecutors say May exchanged more than 200 explicit files of toddlers and young children on the Kik social media app during several days in spring 2024.
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May resigned from the South Carolina House of Representatives last month.
He faces up to 20 years in prison on each of five counts, must register as a sex offender and could be fined up to $250,000.
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What To Know
May signed court papers to change his plea several days after a hearing where prosecutors detailed how they will present their evidence at May's trial, which was scheduled to start next month. May, who does not have a law degree, is acting as his own attorney.
May asked the judge to throw out the warrant used to search his home, laptop and mobile devices. The judge had not issued a ruling on the request before May approached prosecutors about changing his plea.
The former lawmaker was also trying to keep out evidence about whether he used a fake name to travel to Colombia three times.
Prosecutors said he used Kik to ask for "Bad pre teens.”
May has been in custody since June after a judge refused bond. He was serving his third term in the South Carolina House when he was arrested.
May helped create the South Carolina Freedom Caucus, a group of the House’s most conservative members, after his election in 2020.
What People Are Saying
South Carolina Freedom Caucus, on X: "He will be in prison where he belongs. Our prayers continue to be with his innocent victims."
South Carolina House GOP Caucus, on X: "Former Rep and SC Freedom Caucus Founder #RJMay will be held accountable for his crimes. Our prayers are with the victims. No one is above the law and crimes against the innocent will not be tolerated."
What Happens Next
May is scheduled to appear in federal court on Monday to officially change his plea.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
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Update 09/26/25 2:45 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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