Palmetto State News

Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that on July 10, 2024, a Lexington County jury found Michael Scott Valdario guilty on two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in the first degree and two counts in the second degree. Judge Walton McLeod sentenced Valdario to two years for each second-degree charge, to be served concurrently, and four years for each first-degree charge, to be served consecutively, totaling ten years of incarceration.

The case began in September 2020 when the parents of a victim handed over their child's phone to law enforcement. The phone contained screenshots from texts and Snapchats where an adult identified as Michael Valdario was sexually exploiting the minor by requesting images and videos of sexual activity or sexually explicit nudity. A pattern of such conversations lasting months was discovered on the device.

Special Investigator Adam Creech, initially with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and now with the South Carolina Attorney General’s office, led the investigation and handled forensic analysis.

Attorney General Wilson acknowledged the contributions of his Victim Advocacy Division. The victim received support from various advocates throughout the case's duration. Trisha Allen, Director of the Victim Advocacy Division, provided extensive assistance in preparing the victim for trial. Victim Advocacy Coordinator Glynna Fogle attended court daily to support the victim. According to Wilson, "The victim’s strength and poise on the witness stand was directly related to how comfortable and safe she felt because of the hard work of everyone on this case."

Assistant Attorney General Bethany Miles and Assistant Attorney General Nicholas Pauley prosecuted the case. The defendant was represented by Robert “Theo” Williams and Anna Williams Yonge.