Former Rep. May (R) to represent himself in trial on charges of sending child sex abuse videos

COLUMBIA — Former Rep. RJ May can represent himself in his trial, a federal judge decided Thursday.

May was arrested in June on 10 charges of sending images and videos of children being sexual abuse. He has pleaded not guilty. The founding member of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus resigned his House seat last month.

A judge had previously assigned him taxpayer-funded public defenders after May said he couldn’t afford to pay an attorney of his own. May’s two public defenders can sit behind him to answer questions and clarify statements the judge makes, U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie decided.

May will be responsible for making opening and closing arguments, examining and cross-examining witnesses, and filing motions from his Edgefield County jail cell.



https://scdailygazette.com/2025/09/04/former-rep-may-to-represent-himself-in-trial-on-charges-of-sending-child-sex-abuse-videos/