Hanahan Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Phillip Hedgpeth, 48, was arrested Tuesday and charged in federal court with possession and production of child sexual abuse material. Federal investigators say he used online forums, social media and payment apps to solicit explicit images and videos from minors and to distribute illicit material. Prosecutors allege abusive content was stored in an iCloud account linked to his email, phone and home internet router.
'No matter their authority, anyone who exploits children will be held accountable,' said Mark L. Zito, SAC of HSI Charlotte. https://x.com/i/status/2044211918567616956
— HSI Charlotte (@hsi_charlotte) April 15, 2026
Federal Complaint Details
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina, Homeland Security Investigations identified Hedgpeth as a member of an online forum that facilitated the sale of child sexual abuse material and traced dozens of payments to accounts associated with minors. The complaint says Hedgpeth's Cash App and PayPal accounts sent money to 47 accounts between December 2021 and the present that were either associated with minors or suspected sellers, and that videos and images depicting child sexual abuse were stored in an iCloud account registered to his personal email address and devices. Prosecutors allege one victim was 12 when communication began and that Hedgpeth pressured that child to produce content with a 15-year-old sibling.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina said investigators are seeking the public's help to identify possible victims. Tips can be sent to HSI's Charleston exploitation inbox, by phone at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423), or through the online tip form at ICE.gov. The release notes the case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood and reminds the public that the charges are accusations and Hedgpeth is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
HSI Charlotte and City Response
HSI's Charlotte field office posted news of the arrest on X, where Special Agent in Charge Mark L. Zito wrote that, "No matter their authority, anyone who exploits children will be held accountable." The post reiterated the tip lines and said HSI is focused on protecting children and pursuing those who betray public trust.
The City of Hanahan has cut off Hedgpeth's access to city facilities, resources and municipal technology and says it is cooperating with investigators, as reported by Live 5. City officials told reporters they are taking precautions to ensure no municipal systems were compromised and pledged to provide updates as the investigation moves forward.
Legal Stakes and Next Steps
If convicted, Hedgpeth faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison and up to 30 years, plus lifetime supervision and sex offender registration requirements, according to local reporting. He was denied bond at an early-afternoon hearing and was scheduled for an initial appearance at the federal courthouse in downtown Charleston, WIS News 10 reports.
Local Context
The arrest lands at a time when Hanahan's mayor and another council member are already under a separate state ethics review over land-deal disclosures, a situation that has put the small city under heightened scrutiny, The Berkeley Observer reports. Residents and local officials say the community is reeling as multiple probes play out.
Anyone with information is asked to contact HSI at [email protected], call 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423), or submit details through the ICE online tip form at ICE.gov. Federal prosecutors and HSI urged anyone who may be a victim, or who knows a potential victim, to come forward so investigators can identify and assist survivors.
