Church Scandal Explodes as Ex-Pastor, Wife Charged Over Alleged Sex Offender Cover-Up
Four people connected to a South Carolina church and its affiliated school have been arrested after investigators alleged they concealed a registered sex offender’s contact with children.
Those arrested include 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.
Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver announced the charges Monday, alleging the four knowingly allowed Perry to remain around children despite restrictions tied to his probation.
Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver announced the charges Monday, alleging the four knowingly allowed Perry to remain around children despite restrictions tied to his probation.
The investigation began after a concerned parent reported seeing Perry, a registered sex offender, at the academy, which serves children from 6 weeks old through kindergarten, according to WMBF.
“Don Williams, Ginny Williams, Niki Howard, and Warren Perry all colluded to knowingly and willfully placing our children in harm’s way,” Weaver said during a news conference.
According to investigators, Perry was convicted in 2023 of sexual exploitation of a minor stemming from a 2020 offense.
He received a suspended prison sentence and was placed on five years of probation, with conditions prohibiting contact with minors.
Investigators allege Perry continued volunteering at the church and worked as a custodian at the academy despite probation restrictions barring contact with minors.
Sheriff’s investigators said Perry failed to disclose to his probation officer that the church also operated a school.
South Carolina probation officials said Perry had been approved to volunteer at the church based partly on character references from church leadership but had been explicitly instructed not to have direct contact with minors.
Officials said they were unaware he was working in or around the academy until receiving a complaint from the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office.
Don Williams and Howard have each been charged with obstruction of justice, criminal conspiracy, and unlawfully placing a child at risk.
Ginny Williams and Perry each face charges of obstruction of justice and criminal conspiracy. Perry had already been arrested earlier this month on an alleged probation violation related to his contact with a minor, WJCL reported.
Investigators said evidence gathered during the investigation contradicts earlier claims that Perry was never around children.
During Monday’s press conference, Weaver displayed photographs that he said showed Perry participating in church activities where children were present, including a foot-washing ceremony and a water-day event.
Authorities also executed search warrants at both the church and the academy, recovering records and other evidence as part of the investigation.
Investigators allege church leaders failed to disclose Perry’s probation restrictions to members of the school community and allowed him to maintain access to the campus.
One incident report states a teacher who raised concerns about Perry’s presence was allegedly told he had rehabilitated himself and that judging him “was not a Christian thing to do.”
The report also alleges students regularly interacted with Perry by giving him gifts and drawings and that school administrators promoted an auction prize allowing a child to assist the school’s custodians, one of whom was allegedly Perry.
The controversy has already prompted significant fallout.
Don and Ginny Williams, Howard, and several church elders resigned from their leadership positions after Perry’s arrest became public.
A proposed class-action lawsuit seeking more than $25 million has also been filed against the church and academy, alleging negligence in allowing Perry to work around children and failing to notify parents of his criminal history.
The civil allegations remain unproven.
Weaver said investigators continue interviewing parents, teachers, church staff, and children who may have had contact with Perry through the Children’s Recovery Center.
He indicated additional arrests remain possible as investigators review evidence, financial records, and witness statements.
Fifteenth Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson emphasized that the criminal case is still in its early stages and reminded the public that all four defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
“The protection of children is more than just enforcing the law,” Weaver said. “It is preserving the future of this community.”
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