GEORGETOWN COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – Georgetown County investigators executed a search warrant at a church and school in the Pawleys Island area as part of the ongoing investigation into a convicted sex offender who volunteered near children at the school.
Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Heather Pelham confirmed the activity at the Pawleys Island Community Church and the Pawleys Island Christian Academy, which a WMBF News reporter spotted while covering a protest held outside the church earlier Sunday.
The investigation is related to the arrest of Warren Perry, who worked as a custodian for Pawleys Island Christian Academy following a 2023 conviction for sexual exploitation of a minor.
The academy is operated by Pawleys Island Community Church, whose pastor and school director resigned Friday. Senior Pastor Don Williams and his wife, Guest Services Director Ginny Williams, along with Pawleys Island Christian Academy Director Niki Howard and other church leaders, resigned.
The church and school also face a $25 million lawsuit filed Friday. While Williams has publicly acknowledged he and other church leaders knew about Perry’s conviction, the plaintiffs go a step further, alleging the church and school knowingly allowed Perry to work near children.
The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services said it gave Perry permission to work at the church, with Williams providing character witness statements on Perry’s behalf.
However, the agency said Perry never disclosed the school to his probation officer.
An incident report from the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office shows Perry had multiple interactions with children.
Williams said at a public meeting Tuesday there is no evidence Perry abused any children at the academy.
The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office has scheduled a press conference Monday afternoon with updates on the investigation.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that the search warrant was executed at both Pawleys Island Community Church and Pawleys Island Christian Academy.
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