Ilwaco's volunteer fire chief arrested, charged for multiple child sex crimes
PACIFIC COUNTY, Wash. — Ilwaco's volunteer fire chief was arrested for multiple child sex crimes on Jan. 9.
Jeffrey S. Archer was arrested and charged on dozens counts of child molestation and rape, dealing in depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, and possession of depiction of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Archer was placed on administrative leave and a judge set bail on $500,000 bail.
Pacific County Sheriff's Office detectives began investigating after receiving reports of possible child molestation and rape.
According to a statement of probable cause, Archer sexually abused two underage cousins between 2013 through 2019. Both survivors told investigators the abuse occurred while they were babysat by Archer.
On Jan. 9, Pacific County Sheriff's Office deputies and partner agencies executed a search warrant at a home in the area of Joe Johns Road and K Lane. Archer was taken into custody and booked into Pacific County Jail.
Archer faces 21 counts of first-degree child molestation and 10 counts of first-degree child rape, along with additional charges of depictions and possession of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and four counts of second-degree child molestation.
Former JCPS teacher facing 165-year sentence after being found guilty of child sex abuse
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A former Jefferson County Public Schools teacher accused of sexually abusing children was found guilty, and the jury recommended a 165-year prison sentence.
Christopher Morris was arrested in June 2022 and charged with 38 counts of child sex abuse including sexual abuse of a minor and sodomy, after police said he sexually abused two teens. At the time, Morris was employed with JCPS and was a coach for a traveling Amateur Athletic Union basketball team.
Police said the crimes happened between August 2012 and May 2022 with one victim who was under 16 years old and another victim under 18 years old.
In court Jan. 9, the jury found Morris guilty on all charges and recommended the maximum sentence on each charge. A formal sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 9.
"Protecting the most vulnerable in our community—especially our children—is one of our top priorities," Commonwealth's Attorney Gerina D. Whethers said in a news release Monday. "The jury found the defendant guilty of not one, but all 27 of the counts they were directed to hear, meaning the victims in this case now have long-awaited justice. This is one of the most egregious cases of abuse we’ve seen. This defendant was in a position of trust and authority in the community. Our children deserve to be able to live a life without fear, and should never have had to spend years waiting for a proper conclusion. We’re appreciative that the jury has given a sense of finality to this case."
This was Morris' second trial in this case. In August 2025, a judge declared a mistrial when a witness referred to a possible third victim despite the trial only focusing on two victims.
Feds seek 20-year prison sentence for ex-GOP lawmaker RJ May in child sex abuse material case
The U.S. Attorney's Office of South Carolina says it will ask the court to sentence former Republican state House Rep. RJ May to 20 years in federal prison in his child sex abuse material case.
Federal prosecutors say they will ask the court to sentence former Republican state lawmaker RJ May to prison for 20 years in his child sexual abuse material case.
The U.S. Attorney's Office of South Carolina said in a sentencing memo filed Jan. 9 prosecutors will also ask federal Judge Cameron Currie to follow that sentence with lifetime supervision and $73,000 in restitution for eight victims who submitted requests.
May, who helped launched the hardline conservative House Freedom Caucus while in office, will also have to register as a sex offender. It also means the former Republican political consultant will lose the right to vote, hold public office, own a gun and be a juror.
"From his home and cell phone, May freely talked about the type of child abuse videos he preferred as he sent 220 unique videos to child pornographers in 18 states and six countries over a 5-day period," prosecutors wrote to the court. "May was a hub of child pornography distribution. At the same time, he was voting to criminalize and impose severe penalties for child pornography distribution."
May, a father to two young children, pleaded guilty in September to five counts of distributing child sex abuse material.
As part of his guilty plea, May admitted he went by the "joebidennnn69" username on the Kik app to distribute the material over a five-day period in spring 2024 — all while representing a Lexington County district in the S.C. House.
Additionally, May has been charged with three counts of failing to file and pay state taxes from 2022 to 2024. The 39-year-old owes the state more than $14,000 in unpaid taxes.
Federal prosecutors said May possessed 220 unique files of child sex abuse material, of which he distributed 479 times and sent more than 1,100 messages to other people.
"The victims May sought out were so young they were unable to protect themselves," prosecutors wrote. "Some were too young to realize the abusers were hurting them."
Prosecutors said nine victims and three parents submitted impact statements.
In one statement, submitted by a victim named Lily, she wrote the impact has caused her "unending grief."
"My kids are around the ages that I was when sexually abusive things happened to me including the creation of CSAM; seeing how innocent my children are makes me understand more — not just how vulnerable I was — but also even more how sickening it is that perpetrators view the images of me being sexually abused at those ages. It hits me harder emotionally," she wrote.
May will remain in the Edgefield County jail until he is transferred to a federal prison.
In federal court Wednesday, May, who initially fired his attorneys and chose to represent himself, will be represented by public defenders after Currie granted his request that they be allowed for the sentencing phase.
It is unclear whether May will speak in federal court Wednesday.
At his hearing in September, May was asked whether he wanted to address his charges.
"Not at this time, your honor" he replied.
May's former House District 88 seat has since been filled in a special election by Lexington pastor John Lastinger, who will serve the remainder of the unexpired term that ends in November.
All 124 S.C. House seats are up for reelection this year.
The Legislature returns to session Tuesday.
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