Four individuals connected to a South Carolina church and its affiliated school are facing charges following allegations that they knowingly concealed a registered sex offender's presence and contact with children. The arrests, announced Monday by Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver, involve former Pawleys Island Community Church Pastor Don Williams, his wife Ginny Williams, former Pawleys Island Christian Academy Director Niki Howard, and registered sex offender Warren Perry.
"Don Williams, Ginny Williams, Niki Howard, and Warren Perry all colluded to knowingly and willfully placing our children in harm’s way." — Sheriff Carter Weaver, Georgetown County Sheriff
The investigation commenced after a concerned parent reported seeing Perry, a registered sex offender, at the Pawleys Island Christian Academy. The academy serves children ranging from six weeks old through kindergarten. According to Sheriff Weaver, the four individuals "all colluded to knowingly and willfully placing our children in harm’s way."
Warren Perry was convicted in 2023 of sexual exploitation of a minor, an offense stemming from 2020. He received a suspended prison sentence and was placed on five years of probation. Crucially, his probation conditions explicitly prohibited any contact with minors. Despite these restrictions, investigators allege Perry continued to volunteer at the church and worked as a custodian at the academy. Sheriff’s investigators stated that Perry failed to disclose to his probation officer that the church also operated a school, which would have been a critical piece of information given his probation terms.
South Carolina probation officials confirmed that Perry had been approved to volunteer at the church, partly based on character references provided by church leadership. However, officials emphasized that he had been explicitly instructed not to have direct contact with minors. They further stated they were unaware he was working in or around the academy until receiving a complaint directly from the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office. This suggests a significant breakdown in communication or an intentional omission of information regarding Perry's activities.
The charges against the individuals vary. Don Williams and Niki Howard have each been charged with obstruction of justice, criminal conspiracy, and unlawfully placing a child at risk. Ginny Williams and Warren Perry each face charges of obstruction of justice and criminal conspiracy. Perry had already been arrested earlier in the month on an alleged probation violation specifically related to his contact with a minor, indicating a pattern of alleged non-compliance with his legal restrictions.
Investigators have reportedly gathered substantial evidence contradicting earlier claims that Perry was never around children. During the press conference, Sheriff Weaver displayed photographs that he asserted showed Perry actively participating in church activities where children were present. These activities included a foot-washing ceremony and a water-day event, directly challenging any assertions that Perry maintained appropriate distance from minors. Authorities also executed search warrants at both the church and the academy, recovering various records and other pieces of evidence pertinent to the ongoing investigation.
Further details emerging from incident reports paint a concerning picture. Investigators allege that church leaders failed to disclose Perry’s probation restrictions to members of the school community, including parents. Moreover, he was allegedly allowed to maintain regular access to the campus where young children were present. One incident report detailed an account where a teacher who raised concerns about Perry’s presence was allegedly told that he had "rehabilitated himself" and that "judging him was not a Christian thing to do." This alleged response suggests a deliberate effort to downplay or dismiss serious safeguarding concerns. The report also claims that students regularly interacted with Perry by giving him gifts and drawings. Disturbingly, school administrators allegedly promoted an auction prize that allowed a child to assist the school’s custodians, one of whom was allegedly Perry, potentially facilitating direct interaction with him.
The controversy has already led to significant repercussions within the church and school community. Don and Ginny Williams, Niki Howard, and several church elders have resigned from their leadership positions after Perry’s initial arrest became public. In addition to the criminal charges, a proposed class-action lawsuit seeking more than $25 million has been filed against the church and academy. This civil suit alleges negligence in allowing Perry to work around children and a failure to notify parents of his criminal history. It is important to note that these civil allegations remain unproven in court.
Sheriff Weaver indicated that the investigation remains active, with investigators continuing to interview parents, teachers, church staff, and children who may have had contact with Perry through the Children’s Recovery Center. He did not rule out the possibility of additional arrests as investigators meticulously review evidence, financial records, and witness statements. Fifteenth Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson underscored that the criminal case is in its nascent stages and reminded the public that all four defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Sheriff Weaver concluded by emphasizing the broader societal importance of the case, stating, "The protection of children is more than just enforcing the law. It is preserving the future of this community."
