Palmetto State News

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced the arrest of Dwayne Jabaree Sumter, a 31-year-old resident of North Charleston, on charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The arrest was carried out by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators from the Charleston County Sheriff's Office. Additional support came from the Attorney General's Office and the U.S. Marshals Service, both also members of South Carolina's ICAC Task Force.

The investigation began after receiving a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which directed investigators to Sumter. Authorities claim that Sumter distributed files containing child sexual abuse material.

Sumter was taken into custody on January 6, 2025, and faces 10 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor (§16-15-405). Each count is classified as a felony offense and carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

The Attorney General's Office will prosecute this case. In his statement, Attorney General Wilson emphasized that "all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law."

The term "Child Sexual Abuse Material" (CSAM) is being used instead of "child pornography" as it more accurately reflects the nature of these crimes. This change aims to avoid any implication that children involved were consenting participants.