Leaders at Pawleys Island Community Church in South Carolina have been charged after allegedly allowing a registered sex offender to volunteer around children, despite knowing his criminal background. Warren Spence Perry, 70, had been convicted in 2023 for a sex crime involving a minor that occurred three years prior. As a condition of his parole, he was required to avoid being in proximity to children.
Church leaders stated they believed Perry was adhering to his parole conditions under strict supervision. However, parents of children attending the church's youth education programs were unaware of Perry's past. The situation came to light when tipsters alerted the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office that Perry was working as a custodian at Pawleys Island Christian Academy, a school operated by the church. Perry was arrested on July 14.
One former school employee, Eliza Perez, discovered Perry's status accidentally and informed her superiors. She recounted that the pastor's wife responded by saying, "I know. We know." The revelation caused outrage among congregants whose children had been in contact with Perry.
Pastor Don Williams reportedly acknowledged at a subsequent meeting with parents that the church was aware of Perry's sex offender status and allowed him to work near children. He stated that Perry was not permitted to be alone with children and that there had been no reported instances of inappropriate behavior. The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services was aware of Perry's volunteer work at the church but had not been informed he was working at the school.
During the meeting, angry parents confronted Pastor Williams, with some expressing extreme frustration. Following the backlash, Pastor Williams, his wife Ginny, and Academy director Niki Howard announced their resignations via email to congregants. The day after the resignations, parents filed a class action lawsuit against the church and school.
The Georgetown County Sheriff's Department announced on Monday afternoon that the three individuals—Pastor Williams, his wife Ginny, and Academy director Niki Howard—were facing multiple criminal charges, including obstruction of justice and criminal conspiracy. Sheriff Carter Weaver stated, "When people purposely use their position to go around those safeguards… sometimes it’s hard to detect but believe you will be got. You will be found."