Trial Postponed for Former South Carolina Lawmaker Facing Federal Child Sex Charges

The federal trial for former South Carolina lawmaker RJ May, who faces ten counts related to distributing child sexual abuse material, has been postponed with jury selection now set for October 8 and trial to begin October 9. May resigned from his position earlier in August following his arrest and suspension, amid allegations he sent or received over 1,000 messages containing child sexual abuse content through a Kik account linked to his devices. Prosecutors have indicated May could face more than a decade in prison if convicted, with penalties including fines up to $250,000 per count and mandatory restitution. May has maintained his innocence, with his defense claiming his devices were hacked by a political adversary. The case involves extremely graphic material, and the trial is expected to last about six days. Meanwhile, a separate child sexual assault trial involving Anthony James Q. Reyes has also been delayed to allow for a competency hearing for the minor witness, underscoring the careful legal procedures in sensitive cases involving child victims.