GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — A fifth person has been arrested in the ongoing investigation into Pawleys Island Community Church and its affiliated Pawleys Island Christian Academy after allegations that the church’s pastor allowed registered sex offender Warren Perry to volunteer on church grounds and around children.
The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office said Michael Anthony Fields, the church’s director of operations, was arrested Wednesday. Authorities said Fields was responsible for security across the campus, as well as the safety of students at Pawleys Island Christian Academy.
He is charged with unlawfully placing a child at risk or causing a child harm.
Fields’ arrest came the same day as a hearing involving Perry before the South Carolina Department of Probation, Pardon and Parole.
During the hearing, officials discussed a June 10 home office visit between Perry and his parole officer, during which Perry told her he would be setting up for Vacation Bible School at the church but claimed he would be gone before children arrived.
Officials also discussed an office visit 10 days before the initial complaint was filed, when Perry denied contact with minors.
Officials said that on July 17, they searched Perry’s apartment and seized six devices. Authorities said they found a slideshow sent by a church member for a memorial service that included pictures of children in bathing suits, as well as a picture of Perry on the preschool playground.
Perry declined an attorney and was given a chance to speak. He said, “There was never any intent in harming anybody, that is not the person that I am. Not excusing it but giving a little bit of an explanation.”
The judge found Perry violated the conditions of the agreement and ordered the case forwarded to General Sessions.
The developments also follow multiple lawsuits filed last week on behalf of families connected to the church.
READ MORE: Fifth arrest made in ongoing Pawleys Island church investigation
Attorney Randy Hood said, “It just brings attention and notice, and they will see as more stuff comes out and as we get into discovery and as we take depositions, more information is going to come out and it’s not going to be pretty.”
On Tuesday, another negligence lawsuit was filed — the first listing the South Carolina Department of Probation, Pardon and Parole as a defendant.
The lawsuit alleges the agency failed to properly supervise Perry after his sentencing and failed to enforce conditions meant to keep him away from children.
READ MORE: Judge finds Perry violated plea conditions, forwards case to General Sessions
The complaint claims Perry was prohibited from having contact with minors or working within 1,000 feet of them, yet continued volunteering on a church campus that also housed a school and child care facility.
The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation is continuing through interviews and the examination of forensic digital evidence recovered from devices used by church leaders.
The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office also said specialized forensic interviews have been conducted by the Children’s Recovery Center with students who may or may not have been victims of a criminal act while attending Pawleys Island Christian Academy.
The sheriff’s office said those interviews have not resulted in any findings of criminal sexual conduct to date.
