A 48-year-old Mount Pleasant man was arrested on Thursday and charged with third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, a felony that could carry a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years. Jason Hunter Clouse now faces prosecution in a case that has drawn the attention of South Carolina's top law enforcement office.
According to CountOn2, Clouse was arrested on November 5, 2026, and charged with one felony count. The station reported that investigators located Clouse after receiving a CyberTipline report from NCMEC and said he possessed files of child sexual abuse material.
Separately, WCIV reported that South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest, and that the case will be prosecuted by the state Attorney General's Office rather than a local solicitor. That arrangement signals the office's direct involvement in the prosecution going forward.
What the Charge Means Under State Law
The charge against Clouse falls under Section 16-15-410 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which covers third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, per the South Carolina State House. The state code excerpt available does not spell out the offense's specific elements or penalty range beyond identifying the statute itself.
No additional detail on the investigation, including how authorities identified Clouse or what led to his arrest, has been independently verified. A response from Clouse or an attorney representing him has not been made available.
