PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) — Georgetown County investigators have taken several community leaders into custody following charges filed against them after a convicted sex offender was found working at a church-run school on Pawleys Island.
Georgetown County investigators served a search warrant over the weekend at Pawleys Island Community Church and Pawleys Island Christian Academy.
Sheriff Carter Weaver said investigators found an abundance of evidence during their investigation. The case centers on 70-year-old Warren Perry, who worked as a custodian at Pawleys Island Christian Academy following a 2023 conviction for sexual exploitation of a minor. Investigators said Perry had direct contact with students.
Multiple leaders charged
Sheriff Weaver announced criminal charges against former Pawleys Island Community Church pastor Don Williams and his wife, Guest Services Director Ginny Williams, along with Pawleys Island Christian Academy Director Niki Howard at Monday’s press conference. The sheriff of Georgetown County said there is evidence that they knowingly allowed a convicted sex offender around children.
Deputies are charging Don Williams and Howard with obstruction of justice, unlawful placing of a child at risk and criminal conspiracy. Ginny Williams and Warren Perry are charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy.
Perry is booked at the Georgetown County Detention Center. Don and Ginny Williams were arrested in Summerville Monday and will be extradited back to Georgetown County, according to officials. Howard turned herself in at the Georgetown County Detention Center.
Sheriff calls for community confidence
Sheriff Weaver urged the public to have confidence in the system and to report any wrongdoing to law enforcement, especially cases involving children. At a press conference Monday, he said the sheriff’s office will hold all parties accountable.
The church and school now face a $25 million lawsuit. During the conference, Sheriff Weaver played a video showing Williams denying Perry’s contact with children. In the video, Williams said Perry always left and did not go in classrooms or have contact with minors.
“These photos right here, along with numerous others, clearly show Mr. Perry in close proximity to the children and who do you think allowed that? This is sickening in and of itself, coupled with a video of just I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Weaver said.
Weaver added seeing Williams’ response was sickening. Officials are reminding the community that everyone is innocent until proven guilty and that this is the beginning of the investigation.
“We have safeguards in place, but when people purposely use their position to go around those guards or mask their behavior, sometimes it’s hard to detect immediately, but you will be caught, you will be found,” Weaver said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office.
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