Palmetto State News

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of James Leonard Carter, Jr., 20, of Elgin, S.C., on charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The arrest was made by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Lexington County Sheriff's Department.

According to investigators, "Carter engaged in criminal sexual conduct with a minor and manufactured files of child sexual abuse material."

Carter was arrested on February 29, 2024, and is facing one count of criminal sexual conduct with a minor and five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, first degree. Attorney General Wilson emphasized that "all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law."

In light of the seriousness of the charges, the case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office. Attorney General Wilson also highlighted the importance of using the term "child sexual abuse material" instead of "child pornography," stating that it is "a more accurate reflection of the material involved in these heinous and abusive crimes."

This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and swift action in cases involving the exploitation of minors.