5 arrested after sheriff says church leaders allowed convicted sex offender to work near children
GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. —
Five people have been arrested after deputies said church leaders knowingly allowed a convicted sex offender to work near children for years.
Earlier this month, the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a concerned parent alleging that the church was allowing a sex offender to be in close proximity with children at the church school.
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Upon further investigation, deputies identified the individual as 70-year-old Warren Perry, who was convicted of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor back in 2023.
Perry Volunteered at the Church 7 Days a Week
According to Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver, church leaders initially told investigators on July 12 that Perry volunteered at the church seven days a week but was not allowed around children. Investigators later found that claim to be false.
The sheriff’s office then notified the South Carolina Probation, Pardon and Parole, which found Perry in violation of his probation. In the meantime, the sheriff’s office began its own investigation into how church leaders had allowed the sex offender to volunteer.
Investigators say Perry appeared to have been working in a maintenance or custodial role at the church and school dating back to shortly after his initial arrest in 2020.
Four Arrested
On July 20, four arrests were announced. The sheriff’s office said Perry, former Pastor Don Williams, his wife Ginny Williams, and former school director Jennifer “Niki” Howard knowingly put children at risk.
Don Williams was charged with obstruction of justice, criminal conspiracy, and unlawfully placing a child at risk or causing harm.
Don’s wife, Ginny, was charged with obstruction of justice and criminal conspiracy.
Don and Ginny were arrested on July 20 in Summerville and extradited back to Georgetown County.
The former school director of the Pawleys Island Christian Academy (PICA), Howard, was charged with obstruction of justice, criminal conspiracy, and unlawfully placing a child at risk or causing harm. Howard turned herself in at the Georgetown County Detention Center on July 20.
In addition to parole violation, Perry was charged with obstruction of justice and criminal conspiracy. He was arrested in Georgetown.
New Charge Filed For Former Pastor’s Wife
On Friday, July 24, Sheriff Weaver announced that Ginny Williams was additionally charged with unlawfully placing a child at risk or causing a child harm.
Weaver said in order for this charge to be levied, a person has to be in a supervisory role, be responsible for a child’s welfare, and engage in acts or omissions that present a substantial risk that a sexual offense will be committed against a child.
Ginny was found to not only hold a supervisory role at the church, but to also hold such a role over the operations of the school.
Fifth Arrest Made
On Wednesday, July 29, Sheriff Weaver announced the arrest of Michael Anthony Fields, the director of operations and missions at Pawleys Island Community Church. He has been charged with unlawfully placing a child at risk or causing a child harm.
Weaver said Fields was responsible for the security of the entire campus and the safety of the students of the Pawleys Island Christian Academy (PICA).
He was booked into the Georgetown County Detention Center.
Other Investigation Details
Weaver said specialized forensic interviews have been conducted with students who may or may not have been victims of a criminal act while at PICA. These interviews have not resulted in any findings of criminal sexual conduct to date.
Investigators continue to review statements from teachers, parents, church members, and church officials, along with records and digital evidence collected.
Sheriff Weaver has also told WYFF 4’s sister station, WJCL, that investigators are looking into an allegation raised by a woman who said her child had been molested.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center, the Children’s Recovery Center, the Attorney General’s Office, the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), and the SC Department of Probation, Pardon and Parole are assisting in the investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing. Any parents of children who attended PICA, anyone who feels they may have been victimized, or anyone else with information about this case are encouraged to call 843-546-5102.
School Year Remains In Question
As the school year approaches, questions remain for families connected to Pawleys Island Christian Academy.
The sheriff said decisions about what comes next for the school will fall to new leadership at the church and to affected families.
