Fact Check: RJ May is accused of using the screen name 'joebidennnn69' to exchange 220 files of toddlers and young children involved in sex acts on the Kik social media network.

Fact Check: "RJ May is accused of using the screen name 'joebidennnn69' to exchange 220 files of toddlers and young children involved in sex acts on the Kik social media network."

What We Know

Robert "RJ" May, a Republican member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, has been arrested and charged with distributing child sexual abuse material. According to federal prosecutors, May allegedly used the screen name "joebidennnn69" to exchange 220 files containing graphic footage of toddlers and young children engaged in sex acts on the Kik messaging app over a period of five days in spring 2024. The investigation began after Kik flagged suspicious activity to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in April 2024, leading to a search of May's home in August 2024, where authorities seized multiple electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones (source-3, source-4).

May's arrest comes with a 10-count indictment, with each charge carrying a potential prison sentence of five to twenty years. Prosecutors have argued against granting bail due to the nature of the charges and the fact that May has young children of similar age to those depicted in the illicit material (source-5, source-7).

Analysis

The allegations against RJ May are supported by substantial evidence, including the indictment and the details of the investigation. The claims are reported by multiple reputable news sources, including The Guardian and ABC News, which provide consistent accounts of the events leading to his arrest. The evidence includes the use of his home Wi-Fi network for the distribution of the files and the seizure of numerous electronic devices that may contain incriminating material.

However, May's defense has raised questions about the validity of the evidence, suggesting that someone else could have used his Wi-Fi password to access and distribute the files (source-2). While this defense strategy is common in legal proceedings, the prosecution's assertion that the files were linked to May's personal IP address undermines this argument. Furthermore, the investigation's initiation by Kik's alert to federal authorities indicates a serious concern over the activities associated with the username "joebidennnn69" (source-6).

The credibility of the sources reporting on this case is high, as they include established news organizations with a track record of investigative journalism. The nature of the charges and the ongoing legal proceedings lend additional weight to the claims being made against May.

Conclusion

The claim that RJ May is accused of using the screen name "joebidennnn69" to exchange 220 files of toddlers and young children involved in sex acts on the Kik social media network is True. The evidence presented by federal prosecutors, including the details of the indictment and the investigation, strongly supports the allegations against him. The consistency of reports from multiple reputable sources further confirms the validity of the claims.

Fact Check: RJ May is accused of using the screen name 'joebidennnn69' to exchange 220 files of toddlers and young children involved in sex acts on the Kik social media network.