COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of a Cayce man, River Allen Mathis, 26, in connection with the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The arrest is the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, including investigators from both the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and the Attorney General’s Office.
The disturbing case stems from a CyberTipline report submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). According to investigators, the tip led them to Mathis, who was allegedly involved in distributing digital files containing sexually exploitative content involving minors.
Following a thorough investigation, Mathis was arrested on July 31, 2025, and has been formally charged with one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Second Degree under South Carolina Code §16-15-405. This felony offense carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison if the defendant is found guilty.
A Coordinated Effort by ICAC Task Force
The arrest of River Allen Mathis is the latest in a string of proactive efforts by South Carolina’s ICAC Task Force, a collaborative network of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies dedicated to protecting children from online predators and the exploitation of minors.
The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, as part of the ICAC, took the lead in the arrest, with strong support from the Attorney General’s Office—a key partner in pursuing and prosecuting crimes of this nature. Both agencies remain committed to ensuring individuals who traffic in child sexual abuse material are identified, arrested, and held accountable.
⚖️ Legal and Ethical Clarification
Attorney General Wilson emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Nonetheless, he reiterated the seriousness with which his office treats all crimes involving the exploitation of children.
The Attorney General’s Office will prosecute the case, and further proceedings are pending. No trial date has been set at this time.
In speaking on the case, Wilson also took the opportunity to clarify a critical and often misunderstood issue around terminology:
“Referring to this content as ‘child pornography’ can dangerously imply some form of consent or agency, which is categorically false,” he said. “We use the term child sexual abuse material (CSAM) because it accurately reflects the abuse, coercion, and harm involved. These are not images. These are crime scenes.”
This global shift in terminology reflects a growing understanding that such crimes are not merely obscene—they are criminal evidence of horrific abuse committed against vulnerable victims.
Protecting Children, One Arrest at a Time
This case underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance, reporting, and digital forensics in combating the growing problem of online child exploitation. CyberTipline submissions, such as the one that led to Mathis’s arrest, are crucial tools in law enforcement’s fight against CSAM.
The Attorney General’s Office urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious online behavior or content. Anyone with information regarding crimes against children is encouraged to contact their local law enforcement or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The arrest of River Allen Mathis is a stark reminder that these crimes often occur quietly, in digital spaces and homes that may seem otherwise unremarkable. It is also a reminder of the vital role that law enforcement, prosecutors, and vigilant citizens play in protecting the most innocent members of our society.
Reporting Information and Resources
If you suspect child exploitation or abuse, please contact:
- CyberTipline (NCMEC) – 1-800-843-5678
- South Carolina Attorney General’s Office – (803) 734-3970
- Lexington County Sheriff’s Department – (803) 785-8230
As this case moves forward through the judicial system, South Carolina officials have pledged to continue their work, standing on the front lines against those who seek to harm children. The arrest of River Allen Mathis marks another firm step in that ongoing mission.
Leave a Reply