SC bill strengthens penalties for child sex crimes, targets AI abuse images

by P.J. Williams

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) — U.S. Attorney General Alan Wilson, the sheriff’s office and members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force reacted to the passage of a bill targeting sex crimes against children.

The bill is intended to strengthen penalties against child predators. Wilson first proposed the legislation last year; it passed the House and Senate. The new law will make it illegal to create, possess or distribute AI-generated or morphed sexual images of people without their consent.

The new law will also do the following:

Raise mandatory minimum sentences for creating and distributing child sexual abuse material
Create a mandatory minimum sentence for possessing child sexual abuse material
Create a tiered sentencing system: the more images and videos someone possesses, the longer the sentence
Create a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for any registered sex offender found guilty of possessing child sexual abuse material

“This law is a strong message to child predators. South Carolina will hold those who exploit children fully accountable for their crimes,” Wilson said.