South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Jack Raley Catoe, a 19-year-old from Anderson, South Carolina, on seven charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The arrest was carried out by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation also involved assistance from the Attorney General’s Office and the Anderson University Police Department.
The case began after investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which led them to Catoe. Authorities stated that Catoe possessed files containing child sexual abuse material.
Catoe was taken into custody on January 15, 2026. He faces seven counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in the third degree (§16-15-410). Each count is a felony offense and carries a possible sentence of up to ten years in prison.
The Attorney General’s Office will prosecute this case. Wilson emphasized due process, stating: “All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.”
The press release noted that child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is now used as a more accurate term than “child pornography,” as it reflects the abusive nature of these crimes and avoids implying consent by minors.
As South Carolina’s chief prosecutor, legal counsel, and securities regulator, Alan Wilson oversees divisions responsible for criminal matters, civil litigation, consumer protection, and victim support services across the state. The office works with law enforcement agencies on criminal prosecutions and provides educational resources aimed at public safety and financial awareness statewide. More information about these roles can be found on their official website.
