Pastor, Wife and Academy Director Arrested After Sex Offender Worked at SC Church
A South Carolina pastor, his wife, and a school director face multiple charges after a convicted sex offender was employed as a custodian at a church running a daycare and school.
Pawleys Island Church Leaders Charged Over Sex Offender Access to Children
A pastor, his wife, and a Christian academy director in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, have been arrested on multiple charges after a convicted sex offender was permitted to work as a custodian at a church operating both a daycare and a school, baptistpress.com reports.
The Georgetown County Sheriff's Office arrested Don Williams, who had served as pastor at Pawleys Island Community Church for 27 years, on July 20. He faces charges of obstruction of justice, unlawfully placing a child at risk or causing a child's harm, and criminal conspiracy. His wife, Ginny Williams, a guest services director at the church, was charged with criminal conspiracy and obstruction. Both had resigned their positions days before the arrests.
Jennifer "Niki" Howard, director of Pawleys Island Christian Academy, was separately charged with unlawfully placing a child at risk or willfully abandoning a child, criminal conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.
The investigation was triggered after a concerned parent contacted the sheriff's office alleging that the church was allowing a registered sex offender, Warren Spence Perry, to be near children attending its daycare and school. Perry had been arrested in 2020 and convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor in 2023. Sheriff Carter Weaver said Perry was found to be in violation of the terms of his parole.
At a press conference on July 20, Weaver said Perry became "what anybody would call employed" by the church following his 2020 arrest. Perry has also been charged with criminal conspiracy and obstructing justice.
According to a report by postandcourier.com, Don Williams stated he had agreed to Perry attending worship services, with the stipulation that Perry could not be left alone and was not permitted near any children's area or facility. Williams also said the church had "stringent safeguard and accountability measures in place."
Investigators, however, said the evidence tells a different story. Sheriff Weaver stated that through sworn statements and search warrants, investigators discovered "an abundance of evidence" that church and school leaders knowingly put children in harm's way. Weaver added that more arrests could be forthcoming. Investigators are continuing to examine any interactions Perry may have had with children and are assessing the roles of church elders.
Michael Hodo, the church's pastor of adult ministries, did not address the arrests directly but delivered a video message to the congregation the following Sunday. "These have been some of the hardest days in the history of Pawleys Island Community Church. Many of us are heartbroken. Many of us are angry. Many are confused. Many are disappointed. Many of us are still grieving. Some of you are struggling to know who to trust. Some of you may even be wondering whether you'll ever be able to trust a church again," Hodo said. "If that's where you are today, I want you to know this. We see you. We love you and we are grieving with you. Our hearts are especially heavy for the children and families who have been affected by these events."
Tony Wolfe, executive director of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, issued a statement condemning the abuse. "Child sexual abuse is an abomination, a moral and theological aberration causing incalculable harm to children and families. When connected with a Christian leader or congregation, that abuse also brings reproach upon Christ and his church," Wolfe said.
Wolfe expressed gratitude toward church members who raised concerns, describing them as "diligent and courageous." He urged all churches to review their governing documents, employment policies, and sexual abuse awareness training. "Every church should be a safe place for children to come learn about the God who loves them," Wolfe said. "Correspondingly, every parent should be able to rest assured that church leaders are making wise decisions to facilitate this kind of care and safety for their children."
Anyone who is or has been a victim of sexual abuse by a pastor, staff member, or member of a Southern Baptist church or entity can seek help at sbcabuseprevention.com/helpline or by calling 833-611-HELP.
Source: Google News GY — Georgetown