Richard Channing Shealy, 54, a former interim worship pastor, was indicted for producing, distributing, and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), according to a recent press release from the U.S. Attorney’s office of the District of Columbia. Shealy is from Lexington and served as a former interim worship pastor.
Shealy served two Baptist churches in the Lexington and West Columbia area, according to the Post and Courier. The release does not draw any connections between the charges and the two local churches. According to the pastor of one of the churches that Shealy served at six years ago, he completed a background check and required training prior to serving. The pastor said he’s not aware of any connections between the indictment and their church.
The indictment states that “in February 2026, Shealy shared CSAM files with an undercover Homeland Security Investigations agent using a peer-to-peer file sharing network.” Law enforcement also uncovered multiple CSAM files on Shealy’s computer, including pictures of a child he abused in 2004 and 2006.
According to the press release, “Shealy faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison on four counts of producing child sexual abuse material and up to 20 years in federal prison on the distribution and possession charges. Shealy also faces fines of up to $250,000 on each count.”
Tony Wolfe, executive director-treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, said, “SCBaptists are unwavering in their condemnation of sexual abuse as a grievous sin against God and a scandalous offense against the most vulnerable among us. Instances such as these, especially when children are involved, stir our souls with righteous anger and burden our hearts with cries for justice. We pray for the grace of God to be multiplied to children and their families who may have been victimized. We encourage investigative officers to diligently uncover truth and law enforcement to deliver swift justice.”
The U.S. Attorney’s office said that all charges are mere accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
— Story may be updated if new information surfaces.
