Kevin Phillip Hedgpeth, a former City of Hanahan Mayor Pro Tem and City Council member, waived his right to a detention hearing on Apr. 20 and will remain in federal custody pending trial. Hedgpeth was arrested last Thursday on federal warrants charging him with possession and production of child sexual abuse material.
The case is significant as it involves allegations against a former public official and highlights ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation. According to the charging document authorized by United States Magistrate Judge Mary Gordon Baker, an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations identified Hedgpeth as part of a social media forum that facilitated the sale of child sexual abuse material.
Investigators found that from December 2021 onward, Hedgpeth used Cash App and PayPal accounts to pay 47 accounts linked either to minors or individuals suspected of selling such content. Some recipients were minors located in the Charleston area. Authorities also discovered videos and images depicting child sexual abuse stored in an iCloud account registered to Hedgpeth’s personal email address, which was accessed from his home internet router. The investigation revealed that he communicated with children via social media, directed them to produce explicit photos and videos for money, sometimes posed as a minor himself, and distributed illegal materials to entice others.
Hedgpeth faces mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines of at least 15 years in federal prison if convicted, up to a maximum of 30 years. He would also be subject to lifetime supervision by the U.S. Probation Office along with sex offender registration requirements.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating online child exploitation nationwide through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about this program can be found at Justice.gov/PSC.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina protects communities across South Carolina through criminal prosecutions and civil litigation according to its official website. The office employs around 120 prosecutors and support professionals operating out of Columbia, Charleston, Florence, and Greenville locations statewide according to its official website.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have relevant information about possible victims related to this case to contact Homeland Security Investigations via email at Charleston_exploitationtips@hsi.dhs.gov or call their tip line at 866-347-2423.
All charges are accusations; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
