News - Church Leaders Indicted After Cover-Up of Sex Offender's Campus Role

In the unfolding drama at a former Pawleys Island-area church, authorities have charged church leaders after discovering that a registered sex offender was active on the church campus, working in areas frequented by children. The revelation came after multiple complaints from the community, which sparked an investigation into the church's dealings. Prosecutor Colin Weaver revealed that during a critical meeting on July 12, church officials firmly stated they had implemented strict measures to ensure the offender had no contact with minors. However, this assurance was shattered when subsequent complaints uncovered evidence contradicting these claims, showing the offender actively engaged in activities near children, despite alleged supervision. A particularly damning piece of evidence was a video recording of the church's pastor, Don Williams, during a questioning session at the local probation office on July 14. When confronted with accusations concerning the sex offender's probation violations, Williams appeared perplexed, asking officials to clarify what they meant by contact with minors. The video, which was shared widely, played a crucial role in unraveling the truth, with Weaver pointing out Williams' apparent dismay and unawareness. Law enforcement officials, during the investigation, backed up their claims by presenting several photographs showing the offender in close proximity to children on the church campus, directly challenging Williams' assertions that the offender was never in classrooms or areas designated for children. The scandal rocked the church community, which further escalated when the offender, identified as Perry, was taken into custody on July 14 on charges of violating his probation. His release on a $50,000 bond did little to calm the disquiet within the congregation. In response to the growing discontent, Williams conducted a public meeting where he recounted the history of the offender's involvement post-arrest in 2020. Williams explained that Perry's participation in church activities was conditional upon strict guidelines, intended to keep him from having any unsupervised contact or access to children's facilities. The church initially welcomed Perry after an appeal from his financial advisor, leading to his gradual involvement in adult-oriented church functions, a move justified by his apparent spiritual transformation. Williams noted Perry’s apparent repentance and subsequent responsibilities within the church, with oversight allegedly provided by church staff. Despite these measures, the scandal has initiated wider scrutiny over procedures of oversight and transparency within religious institutions handling parolees, with community officials advocating for more stringent regulations to prevent similar situations in the future. The case remains a significant point of discussion in both ecclesiastical and legal circles.