Orangeburg, South Carolina – An Orangeburg man is facing multiple felony charges after investigators said a CyberTipline report helped lead authorities to allegations involving child sexual abuse material.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that David Austin Robert Gillespie, 37, of Orangeburg, was arrested on May 14, 2026. The arrest was made by Internet Crimes Against Children investigators with the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, with assistance from the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office, which is also part of the state’s ICAC Task Force.
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The investigation began after authorities received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, often known as NCMEC. According to investigators, that report helped identify Gillespie as part of the inquiry. Investigators state that Gillespie distributed files of child sexual abuse material.
Gillespie has been charged with five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, second degree, under South Carolina law §16-15-405. Each count is a felony offense and carries a possible punishment of up to 10 years in prison.
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The case adds another step to ongoing work by South Carolina’s ICAC Task Force, which focuses on online crimes involving the exploitation of children. These investigations often involve tips submitted through national reporting systems, followed by state and local agencies working together to identify suspects and gather evidence.
Authorities also noted that Gillespie was previously convicted on similar charges in 2022. The newly announced charges are separate from that earlier conviction and will now move through the court process.
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The Attorney General’s Office will prosecute the case.
Wilson also stressed that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.
