Congresswoman Nancy Mace has released findings from a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request that reveal significant shortcomings in the handling of child sex crime cases by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. The records, provided by Attorney General Alan Wilson’s office, indicate high rates of case dismissals, heavy reliance on plea deals, and a growing backlog of unresolved cases.
According to the documents, at least 32 child sex crime cases were dismissed in fiscal year 2024–25 alone. Over multiple years, dozens more were dismissed even after arrests and forensic examinations had taken place. Between fiscal years 2016–17 and 2024–25, jury trials for these crimes ranged from zero to three per year statewide. In several years during this period—including FY 2017–18, FY 2020-21, and FY 2021–22—not a single child sex crime case went before a jury anywhere in South Carolina. Instead, between 79% and 84% of cases each year were resolved through plea agreements.
The FOIA results also show that pending cases have increased by about 65%, rising from the high-400s to nearly 800 unresolved child sex crime cases across the state in recent years. In some years, as many or more cases ended because defendants died than reached a jury trial.
Rep. Mace commented on these findings: “This data tells a disturbing story,” she said. “If you’re a pedophile in South Carolina while Alan Wilson is Attorney General, the odds are you’ll never see a jury, and if you’re a victim, you may never see justice.”
She added: “Alan Wilson wants the public to believe he’s tough on crime. But his own records show a system where child sexual predators cut plea deals, cases quietly get dismissed, years where there are 0 trials, and justice is denied indefinitely under his watch. It’s horrific for South Carolina children.”
Mace argued that this situation represents not just administrative problems but also leadership failures within the Attorney General’s Office: “The FOIA data shows arrests, warrants, and forensic exams are happening. What’s breaking down is the prosecution phase. This puts responsibility squarely on the Attorney General’s Office and Alan Wilson’s leadership choices and other solicitors who follow his lead.”
The full set of FOIA documents can be accessed online at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1W7aQaBxBU7yRkKtx3bj8Hdg9FPZATXn2?usp=sharing.
Nancy Mace has represented South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District since replacing Joe Cunningham in Congress in 2021 (https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M001212). Before her current role in Congress—which began after her election victory—she served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2018 to 2020 (https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?code=1235220896). Born in Fort Bragg in North Carolina in 1977 and currently residing in Charleston at age 45 (https://mace.house.gov/about), she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from The Citadel in 1999.
For further information or press inquiries regarding these findings or Rep. Mace’s work representing South Carolina’s First District since her election to Congress (https://mace.house.gov/about), contact SC01Press@mail.house.gov.
