Thu Jun 12 10:40:00 UTC 2025: **South Carolina Lawmaker RJ May Arrested, Held for U.S. Marshals**

**COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS)** – State Representative Robert “RJ” May, representing District 88, was arrested Wednesday and booked into the Lexington County Detention Center. Initial records indicated he was being held for the United States Marshals Service (“HOLD FOR DUSM”), though the listing has since been removed from the detention center’s website.

WIS News 10 is actively seeking information regarding the specific charges against May and has requested his mugshot from the Lexington County Detention Center. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina has declined to comment.

The arrest follows an investigation that came to light in August 2024 when federal Homeland Security Investigations agents seized numerous electronic devices, including cellphones, hard drives, and thumb drives, from May. According to unsealed court documents filed in October, the U.S. Attorney’s Office requested additional time to analyze the seized evidence and had anticipated a potential indictment by March 2025. The nature of the investigation and potential charges remain unclear.

May, first elected in 2020, is a founding member of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus, a group known for pushing the Republican Party further to the right. He served as the caucus’s vice chair until mid-2024. Following the public revelation of the search and seizure last year, the Freedom Caucus suspended May’s membership. In a statement released Wednesday night, the caucus confirmed May had been expelled and called for his immediate resignation from the House.

“The South Carolina Freedom Caucus stands firmly for the rule of law,” the caucus stated. “Representative RJ May has been expelled from our caucus. He has not been involved in the operations of the caucus since August of 2024. We call for his immediate resignation from the House.”

Despite the ongoing investigation, May remained present throughout the legislative session, which concluded in early May. However, the usually vocal lawmaker remained largely silent during debates on the House floor.

“The people of District 88 elected me to do a job, and that’s what I’m here to do,” May stated in December, addressing the investigation and his intentions for the upcoming session.

This is a developing story. Stay with WIS News 10 for updates.

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