Attorney General Alan Wilson announces two York Co. men sent to prison on child sexual abuse material charges

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that, on April 15, two York County men pleaded guilty and were sent to prison on child sexual abuse material charges.

Collin Patrick Taylor pleaded guilty to one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Second Degree and one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Third Degree before the Honorable David P. Caraker, Jr. in York County.

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Second Degree applies to the distribution of child sexual abuse material, while Third Degree applies to the possession of it.

In April of 2022, the York County Sheriff’s Office received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the uploading of child sexual abuse material from a user of a social media application. Subscriber information identified Taylor. Investigation into the location of the upload revealed that it occurred at Taylor’s residence in York County. Investigators executed a search warrant, and Taylor’s electronic devices were seized for forensic analysis, which revealed additional files of child sexual abuse material.

Judge Caraker sentenced Taylor to seven years in prison to be followed by three years of probation with special conditions of sex offender counseling, which may terminate in 24 months with no violations. He must register as a sex offender upon his release, and he consented to the forfeiture of his devices. 

David Alan Powell pleaded guilty to one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Third Degree, also before Judge Caraker.

In August of 2023, the York County Sheriff’s Office received a Cybertip report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the uploading of child sexual abuse material from an internet user. Subscriber information identified Powell. Investigation into the location of the upload revealed that it occurred at Powell’s residence in York County. Investigators executed a search warrant, and Powell’s devices were seized for forensic analysis, which revealed 1,200 additional files of child sexual abuse material.

Judge Caraker sentenced Powell to five years in prison to be followed by two years of probation with mandatory sex offender counseling. He must register as a sex offender upon his release, and he consented to the forfeiture of his devices.