Former Hanahan City Councilman Indicted on Sex Trafficking and Child Sexual Abuse Charges

CHARLESTON, S.C. - A federal grand jury in Charleston returned a 23-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney's Office, charging Kevin Phillip Hedgpeth, 48, of Hanahan, for sex trafficking of a minor, coercion and enticement of a minor, production, distribution, receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material and attempted production of child sexual abuse material.*

The indictment alleges from at least December 2021 through his arrest on federal charges in April 2026, Hedgpeth targeted, recruited, and sexually exploited children using the internet. Hedgpeth used social media apps to contact children-including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Telegram and X-where he posed as a minor himself. Through those apps, he pressured and often paid minors to record sex acts with other minors, including with some of their own family members. He then saved the files in password-protected folders accessible on his phone. He named the folders after the actual names of victims. Hedgpeth distributed those files to others over the internet-including to minors-without victim consent. Hedgpeth used the files to pose as a minor and to entice victims into producing additional content.

Hedgpeth exploited at least 19 children during the scheme, 13 girls and six boys, ranging in age from 12 to 17 years old. Most victims were in South Carolina, and some lived in his local community. During the scheme, Hedgpeth was a public official, serving as a City Councilman and as Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Hanahan.

Hedgpeth faces up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, supervision by the United States Probation Office for a term of lifetime following any term of imprisonment, restitution payable to victims, and additional financial assessments. He will remain detained pending trial.

"The grand jury has charged Kevin Hedgpeth with a depraved, predatory criminal scheme through which he targeted the most vulnerable among us," said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. "We look forward to holding Hedgpeth accountable to the fullest extent, and we will continue to dedicate every resource to defend children in our state."

"The charges in this indictment are deeply disturbing and represent a profound betrayal of trust, especially by someone who held positions of public responsibility. No one-regardless of their title or status-is above the law,"said Mark M. Zito, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in North and South Carolina. "Our commitment is unwavering: we will pursue justice for every victim and ensure that those who exploit their authority to harm children are held fully accountable. The gravity of these crimes demands a strong response, and we will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to protect the most vulnerable members of our community."

Investigators continue to seek the public's help to identify possible victims. If you have relevant information to report, please contact HSI at [email protected], by telephone at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423), or through the online tip form at https://www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-formLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link..

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dean H. Secor and Elliott B. Daniels are prosecuting the case.

All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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* The term "child pornography" is currently used in federal statutes and is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a person less than 18 years old. While this phrase still appears in federal law, "child sexual abuse material" is preferred, as it better reflects the abuse that is depicted in the images and videos and the resulting trauma to the child.