Former Hanahan City Councilman indicted on sex trafficking, child sexual abuse charges
by Perrin MooreThu, May 14, 2026 at 10:46 AM
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — A federal grand jury has handed down a 23-count indictment charging former Hanahan City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Hedgpeth for sex trafficking, attempted production of child sexual abuse material, and more.
Hedgpeth, 48, has been charged with multiple counts including sexual trafficking of a minor, coercion and enticement of a minor, production, distribution, and receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and attempted production of CSAM, according to the office of US Attorney for the District of South Carolina Bryan P. Stirling.
The indictment alleges that the former councilman targeted, recruited, and sexually exploited children using social media apps including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Telegram, and X from at least Dec. 2021 through his recent arrest in April 2026 by himself posing as a minor under screennames like "Kendall," "Larry_jbird," and "King Dollar Sign" to pressure and often pay for minors to record sex acts with other minors, including with some of their own family members. Once he obtained the CSAM he solicited, he would save it in organized, password-protected folders accessible on his cell phone and distribute it, including to other minors, according to the indictment.
READ MORE | "Hanahan Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Hedgpeth charged in child sexual abuse material case"
At least 19 children were exploited in the scheme - 13 girls and six boys ranging in age between 12 and 17 years old, officials say. Most of the victims lived in South Carolina, some in Hedgpeth's own community, and at least four victims resided in North Carolina according to the indictment.
“The grand jury has charged Kevin Hedgpeth with a depraved, predatory criminal scheme through which he targeted the most vulnerable among us,” Stirling said. “We look forward to holding Hedgpeth accountable to the fullest extent, and we will continue to dedicate every resource to defend children in our state.”
The full charges brought against Hedgpeth in the indictment are:
- Sex trafficking a minor - 1 count
- Attempted production of child pornography - 4 counts
- Production of child pornography - 4 counts
- Receipt of child pornography - 1 count
- Attempted receipt of child pornography - 1 count
- Distribution of child pornography - 2 counts
- Possession of child pornography - 1 count
- Coercion/enticement of a minor and attempt - 9 counts
Hedgpeth was arrested in April after US Customs and Border Patrol identified what it believed to be child sexual abuse material (CSAM) during an inspection when he was a passenger on a cruise ship in Florida. He resigned from Hanahan City Council on Friday, April 17 and faces up to life in prison, restitution payable to victims, and a fine up to $250,000. He will remain behind bars until his trial, the US Attorney's office said.
READ MORE | "Kevin Hedgpeth resigns amid federal child sexual abuse material case"
Anyone with information about Hedgpeth is urged to contact investigators as they work to identify other possible victims. Tips can be emailed to Homeland Security Investigations at Charleston_exploitationtips@hsidhs.gov, by phone at 866-347-2423, or though the online tip portal.
Sexual abuse of child investigation leads to arrest of West Virginia elementary school teacher, county commissioner; he is facing 258 charges for sex crimes involving minors
A Calhoun County elementary school teacher and county commissioner has been indicted on hundreds of sexual abuse charges following an investigation that began in 2025.
According to authorities, Corporal Schoolcraft started the investigation on Sept. 3, 2025, into allegations of sexual abuse involving a juvenile.
On Sept. 13, 2025, 35-year-old Jacob McCumbers, of Arnoldsburg, was arrested on 50 counts of child sexual abuse by a parent or custodian.
Officials said McCumbers was arraigned before a Calhoun County magistrate and later released on a $100,000 surety bond.
On May 13, 2026, Corporal Schoolcraft presented the case to a Calhoun County grand jury, which indicted McCumbers on 172 counts of first-degree sexual abuse and 86 counts of sexual abuse by a parent or guardian.
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