Attorney General Alan Wilson | Attorney General Alan Wilson, SC
Attorney General Alan Wilson | Attorney General Alan Wilson, SC
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced the arrest of Michael Roland Sheehan, a 32-year-old resident of Sumter, South Carolina. Sheehan faces nine charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The arrest was carried out by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators from the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the Attorney General's Office.
The investigation began following a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which led authorities to Sheehan. According to investigators, Sheehan is accused of distributing files containing child sexual abuse material.
Sheehan was taken into custody on October 17, 2024. He has been charged with nine counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor under section §16-15-405. This felony offense carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison for each count.
The case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office. Attorney General Wilson emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
The term "child sexual abuse material" (CSAM) is used to accurately describe these crimes, as it reflects the abusive nature without implying consent from victims. Globally, this term is replacing "child pornography" for clarity and accuracy.
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