Authorities have announced the arrest of North Augusta High School teacher Charles Wilson on allegations of having child pornography on his home computer, including images of young girls showing their genitalia.
Wilson, 58, was arrested Wednesday on five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in the second degree. He is listed online as a former pastor at Langley First Baptist Church up until May 2023. He also did missionary work and spent two decades as lead pastor at Oakwood Baptist Church in Lexington, a LinkedIn page says.
NAHS administrators worked quickly to remove all mentions of the teacher’s selection as Teacher of the Year from its hallways as well as his presence online. He was a reportedly a social studies teacher serving his first year at the school before winning the award.
But a search warrant at his home on Kemper Downs Drive in Aiken on Wednesday turned up evidence of child pornography, leading to the felony charges and his arrest. Among the images was a “photoshopped image of the defendant having intercourse with a nude female child,” a warrant says.
School District Communications Director Merry Glenne Piccolino released this statement: “Charles Richard Wilson began teaching in our District in May of 2023, and was placed on administrative leave following his arrest yesterday (May 22, 2024) on child exploitation charges. These charges are extremely concerning. Wilson’s professional and criminal background, checked prior to his employment, did not include any prior arrests, charges, or convictions, or reveal any concerns related to activities of this kind. During his employment of approximately one year with our school system, there have been no reported concerns or employee infractions.”
The arrest announcement came from the office of S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson. Investigators with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force with the Aiken Department of Public Safety made the arrest. Investigators with the Attorney General’s Office and Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, both also members of the state’s ICAC Task Force, assisted with the investigation.
Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) which led them to Wilson. Investigators state Wilson distributed files of child sexual abuse material.
The five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in the second degree are felony offenses punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count. This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.
In a press release, Attorney General Wilson stressed all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.
From his LinkedIn page:
