South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced the arrest of Dallon Christopher Barnwell, a 22-year-old resident of Pickens, South Carolina. Barnwell faces 10 charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The arrest was carried out by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Attorney General’s Office.
The investigation began after a CyberTipline report was received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which directed investigators to Barnwell. Authorities allege that Barnwell possessed files containing child sexual abuse material.
Barnwell was taken into custody on July 3, 2025. He is charged with 10 counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor under §16-15-410. Each count is a felony offense carrying a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
The Attorney General’s Office will prosecute this case. Attorney General Wilson emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is considered a more accurate term for these crimes than “pornography,” as it reflects the abusive nature of the content and acknowledges that children cannot consent to such acts.
