South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrests of two Midlands men, Donald Cyril Barkhoff and Ethan Rylee Roberts, on charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor. The arrests were made by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators from the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office and Lexington County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service.
The investigations began after CyberTipline reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led authorities to Barkhoff, 52, of Columbia, and Roberts, 18, of Lexington. According to investigators, Barkhoff was found in possession of child sexual abuse material while Roberts is accused of distributing such material.
Barkhoff was arrested on January 13, 2026. He faces two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in the third degree, which are felony offenses each carrying a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison under state law (§16-15-410). Roberts was arrested on January 14, 2026. He is charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor in the second degree (§16-15-405), also a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment.
Both cases will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office. As stated by Attorney General Wilson: “All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.”
Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is now used as a term to more accurately describe these crimes. The term “pornography” can suggest consent where none exists; therefore, CSAM is replacing it globally.
The South Carolina Attorney General serves as the state’s chief prosecutor and legal counsel and works closely with law enforcement agencies across South Carolina to handle criminal matters such as these. The office collaborates with state law enforcement and solicitors on criminal prosecutions and offers victim support services statewide to enhance public safety (official website). Alan Wilson has served as head of this office, which also provides educational resources about public safety and financial awareness throughout South Carolina.
