Attorney General's statement on private groups conducting sting operations to catch child predators

Since the day I became Attorney General, my office has worked tirelessly to hold predators accountable. We have had 1,271 defendants convicted with 800 defendants pending trial and many more cases referred to the federal government. All in all, there have been 2,430 arrests made against child predators since I became Attorney General.  Many of these individuals are now listed on the sex offender registry. 

Additionally, I have invested heavily in the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). In 2011, we had only eight employees dedicated to educating the public and investigating and prosecuting child predators. There are now 26 dedicated individuals in our Internet Crimes Against Children division. Under my leadership, the number of task force members supporting these efforts has grown significantly, with the number of participating agencies increasing from approximately 40 to 128 now covering every county in the state. This expansion has allowed us to broaden our reach and protect even more children from harm. 

There are a number of well-intentioned private groups who are making an effort to protect children. However, their private investigations without law enforcement involvement endanger themselves and the public and jeopardize legitimate law enforcement investigations. Moreover, the tactics they employ are often not authorized by South Carolina law and may be in violation of South Carolina criminal law. Our policy is to follow the law; these are not my discretionary policies. 

It is deeply concerning that some individuals have resorted to categorically false accusations and personal attacks against me. Such actions put our team in harm’s way, diverting attention from the real work of protecting children in our communities. I want to make it clear: if these cases were taken to court, under South Carolina law they would not stand. 

We will continue to focus on what matters—ensuring the safety and security of the people of South Carolina, especially its children. We encourage everyone to support law enforcement in their efforts, and if you suspect a crime, report it to local law enforcement. Do not take action into your own hands. Together, we can continue to make a meaningful impact across our state.