Palmetto State News

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Lawrence Tafoya, 67, of Rock Hill, S.C., on five charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors. Tafoya was arrested on April 11, 2024, by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the York County Sheriff's Office. The investigators stated that Tafoya possessed files of child sexual abuse material.

Tafoya is charged with five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, third degree (§16-15-410), a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count. Attorney General Wilson highlighted that Tafoya had been convicted on related charges in 2022 and that the case would be prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office.

In light of the terminology used in such cases, Wilson emphasized the importance of using the term "child sexual abuse material" instead of "child pornography." He explained, "'Pornography' can imply the child was a consenting participant." He further noted, "Globally, the term child pornography is being replaced by CSAM for this reason."

Wilson also reiterated the legal principle that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.