South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that Francisco Simon Francisco Tomas, a 24-year-old resident of Gaston, South Carolina, has been arrested on five charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The arrest was carried out by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from the Attorney General’s Office, which is also part of the state’s ICAC Task Force.
The investigation began after a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led authorities to Tomas. According to investigators, Tomas was found in possession of files containing child sexual abuse material.
Tomas was taken into custody on December 16, 2025. He faces five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in the third degree (§16-15-410), each classified as a felony offense that carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison per count. The case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General Wilson stated: “All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.”
The Attorney General’s Office plays a key role as South Carolina’s chief legal advocate and enforcer, handling prosecutions such as this one and collaborating with state law enforcement agencies across South Carolina. The office supports victims through advocacy and resources while maintaining statewide operations for public safety and regulation. More information about these efforts can be found on the official website.
* Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is used to more accurately describe material involved in crimes against children. The term “pornography” can suggest consent by minors; therefore, CSAM is being adopted globally for clarity.
