HANAHAN, S.C. — A former Hanahan City Councilman has been indicted on multiple federal charges related to sex trafficking and child sexual abuse, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina.
A federal grand jury returned a 23‑count indictment against 48‑year‑old Kevin Phillip Hedgpeth of Hanahan, alleging sex trafficking of a minor, coercion and enticement of a minor, and production, distribution, receipt, and possession of child sexual abuse material. Prosecutors say Hedgpeth also attempted to produce additional material.
According to the indictment, Hedgpeth allegedly used social media platforms — including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Telegram, and X — to pose as a minor and contact children online. Investigators say he pressured and sometimes paid minors to record sexual acts with other minors, including family members, and stored the videos in password‑protected folders labeled with victims’ names. He is accused of distributing those files to others, including minors, without consent.
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Federal prosecutors allege Hedgpeth exploited at least 19 children, ranging in age from 12 to 17, most of whom lived in South Carolina. The indictment states that the alleged crimes occurred between December 2021 and April 2026, while Hedgpeth served as a Hanahan City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem.
Hedgpeth faces up to life in prison, fines of up to $250,000, lifetime supervised release, and restitution to victims. He remains detained pending trial.
“The grand jury has charged Kevin Hedgpeth with a depraved, predatory criminal scheme through which he targeted the most vulnerable among us,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling. “We look forward to holding Hedgpeth accountable to the fullest extent.”
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Mark M. Zito, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in the Carolinas, called the charges “deeply disturbing” and said the case represents “a profound betrayal of trust” by a public official.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about possible victims to contact Homeland Security Investigations at [email protected], by phone at 866‑347‑2423, or through the online tip form at ice.gov/webform/ice‑tip‑form.
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The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dean H. Secor and Elliott B. Daniels are prosecuting the case.
All charges are accusations, and Hedgpeth is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
