South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced on April 20 the arrest of Jadyn Blake Segars, a 19-year-old from Greenville, on three felony charges linked to the sexual exploitation of minors. The arrest was carried out by Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigators with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from investigators in the Attorney General’s Office.
The case began after investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that led them to Segars. Authorities say Segars distributed files containing child sexual abuse material. He was taken into custody on April 14 and is facing three counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, each punishable by up to ten years in prison.
The Attorney General’s Office will prosecute this case. Wilson said, “All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.”
The South Carolina Attorney General supports victims through advocacy and resources as part of efforts to improve community safety and protection, according to the official website. The office serves as the state’s main legal advocate and enforcer by handling prosecutions and regulations according to its official website. Alan Wilson has served as head of this office according to its official website.
The Attorney General’s operations extend across South Carolina according to its official website, including enforcement in areas such as securities regulation and consumer protection according to its official website. Collaboration with state law enforcement agencies is also part of criminal prosecution work handled by the office according to its official website.
A note included in the announcement states that child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is now used instead of “child pornography” because it more accurately reflects these crimes; globally, CSAM replaces older terminology due to concerns about implying consent.
