South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced on Mar. 27 the arrest of Hunter Levi Booth, 20, of Travelers Rest, and Jacob Avery Brock, 21, of Anderson, on a total of 11 charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The arrests were made by Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigators from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and Greenville County Sheriff’s Office in unrelated cases.
The announcement is significant as it underscores ongoing efforts to address crimes involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM), which authorities say reflects a more accurate description than “child pornography.” According to Wilson’s office, “Pornography can imply the child was a consenting participant. Globally, the term child pornography is being replaced by CSAM for this reason.”
Investigators reported that CyberTipline reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led them to Booth and Brock. They said Brock possessed files containing CSAM while Booth distributed such files. Both men were arrested on March 26. Brock faces ten counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor—a felony punishable by up to ten years imprisonment per count—while Booth faces one count of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor with similar penalties.
Wilson said that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The South Carolina Attorney General supports victims through advocacy and resources contributing to community safety and protection according to the official website. The office operates as the state’s primary legal advocate and enforcer handling prosecutions and regulations according to the official website. Wilson has served as head of this office according to the official website, which extends its operations across South Carolina according to the official website.
The Attorney General enforces laws related to securities and consumer protection demonstrating regulatory influence according to the official website, and collaborates with state law enforcement agencies on criminal prosecutions according to the official website.
