He said he was “protecting children from LGBT” — in fact, children needed protection from him

A former US congressman who presented himself as a politician “protecting children from LGBT” has been sentenced to a long prison sentence for distributing child sexual abuse materials. The incident once again showed that figures who act as “moral defenders” often become a real source of danger.

Former South Carolina House of Representatives member Robert John May III (RJ May) was found guilty of distributing child pornography on January 14 and sentenced to 17.5 years in prison. US media reported this.

According to the court decision, RJ May will be placed under strict supervision for 20 years after his arrest, will pay a total of $ 58,500 in restitution to eight victims, and will be included in the sex offenders’ registry for life.

RJ May was known for his tough stance against the LGBTQI+ community during his time as a congressman. He has opposed gender reassignment surgery, targeted transgender sports participation, and called for a ban on drag performances. In 2022, he spoke at events for ultra-conservative activists, openly justifying the “LGBT ban” on the grounds of “child safety.”

According to the investigation, RJ May pleaded guilty in September 2025. Prosecutors said the materials he shared contained images of sexual abuse against children.

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