In Columbia, South Carolina, former state legislator RJ May III received a federal prison sentence of 17-and-a-half years on Wednesday, following his conviction for distributing numerous videos depicting child sexual abuse.

May admitted guilt to five charges related to the distribution of child sexual abuse content back in 2025.

Appearing before U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie, May was handed a 210-month prison term. Upon completing his sentence, he will be subject to 20 years of supervised release. Additionally, he has been ordered to pay $58,500 in restitution to his victims.

“Once a state representative, R.J. May is now a convicted sex offender,” remarked Lance Crick, the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for South Carolina, following the sentencing.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that May sent 220 videos of child sexual abuse over a span of just five days, sharing them with other offenders across 18 states and six countries, employing various online aliases in the process.

“R.J. May exploited and abused the most vulnerable among us; toddlers, infants, children too young to protect themselves or even recognize the harm being done,” said prosecutor Elliot Daniels.

The ex-lawmaker was visibly emotional as they detailed the scope of his crimes which occurred while he was still serving as an elected official.

“In public he [May] would support kids, sponsor the bills and in private he’d abuse them,” Daniels said. “He’s a predator.”

Judge Currie described the content as some of the most extreme material she had ever seen in her decades-long career on the bench.

“This child pornography is the most severe material she has ever seen,” Daniels “She’s been on the bench since the 90s.”

Robert John May II, May’s father, addressed the court. Through tears, he described his emotions, saying, “I am totally broken.”

“It’s so hard for me to wrap my mind around this,” he continued. “An entire life’s worth stripped away in an instant.”

Mays younger sister Megan followed, outwardly crying as she said, “I love you, you’ve always been a good big brother to me,” and shared positive memories of her brother over the years.

Finally, May addressed the court, expressing remorse. “I don’t expect forgiveness from my victims. If I were in their place, I wouldn’t offer it,” he said, breaking down as he read parts of his letter to the judge.

“Nothing will suffice as an adequate apology, but I am sorry,” he said.

Judge Currie said she considered May’s troubled childhood and the defense argument that each video he shared should count as a single image before handing down his sentence.

“What comes to mind is that the suffering of the victims will not end in 60 months or 240 months,” Currie told May. “It will last a lifetime.”

Prosecutors emphasized that the sentence sends a clear message.

“We don’t care if you’re a lawmaker, a judge, a police chief, or a firefighter. If you exploit children, we’re going to prosecute you in federal court,” Crick said.

“If you hurt kids in our state, we will not spare any resources to prosecute your case,” Daniels added.

May will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

The full press conference can be viewed here.