Pawleys Island-area pastor, school director, church leaders resign amid sex offender scandal

South Carolina authorities say a registered sex offender was allowed to volunteer near children at Pawleys Island Community Church, and that has now triggered arrests, investigations, and a civil lawsuit.

Quick Take

Warren Spence Perry was arrested after deputies said he volunteered in close proximity to children at the church campus.
The church operates an elementary school, preschool, and nursery, which made the access more serious.
Prosecutors and reporters say leaders knew about Perry’s sex offender status before the arrest.
Church leaders say they used safeguards, but critics say key people were left in the dark.

Arrest Sparks Wider Probe

Deputies said Perry, 70, violated probation by working around children at the church campus. Reporters said he had earlier been convicted in 2023 for sexual exploitation of a minor tied to a 2020 crime. Authorities then widened the case to ask who knew he had access to children at a site that also houses a school, preschool, and nursery.

The church case drew fast public anger because it sits at the point where safety, trust, and institutional control meet. Families who send children to church-linked programs expect clear rules and honest notice. When those lines blur, the damage reaches beyond one arrest. It feeds a deeper fear that adult leaders protect the institution first and explain things later.

What Officials Say Happened

According to local reporting, church leaders told investigators Perry was not allowed around children, yet sheriff Carter Weaver later said that claim was false. One report said Perry never told probation officers that the church also ran Pawleys Island Christian Academy. Another said his work put him near children in the nursery, daycare, and school areas. Those details are now central to the criminal case.

A separate report said investigators also found a power of attorney signed in April naming Ginny Williams to handle Perry’s affairs. That document added another layer to the inquiry because it raised questions about who knew what, and when. The public record so far points to a much bigger problem than one volunteer schedule. It suggests a chain of decisions that officials are still trying to untangle.

Church Defends Its Safeguards

Church leaders have pushed back on claims of total concealment. WCIV reported that the church said it used strict safeguards in 2023, required constant supervision, and did not allow Perry to be alone with children. Pastor Don Williams also said there was no evidence that any child was abused. Those statements matter because they show the church is not only facing criminal scrutiny, but also a fight over how much it knew and when.

CHARGED | A South Carolina sheriff announced criminal charges against leaders of the Pawleys Island Community Church and its Christian Academy.

👇 https://t.co/54Ke0NgXpV

— Queen City News (@Queen_City_News) July 21, 2026

Still, the defense leaves open a painful gap. A Facebook post from ChurchLeaders said church leadership knew Perry was a convicted sex offender as early as 2020, yet teachers were never told. If true, that would point to a culture of limited disclosure inside the church, even if leaders say they believed oversight was enough. That is the kind of half-warning that leaves parents and staff exposed.

Why the Case Resonates Beyond One Church

This story fits a wider pattern seen in abuse cases across religious groups. Investigations often find that institutions protect reputation, limit disclosure, and delay action until outside pressure grows. That pattern angers people across the political spectrum because it confirms a shared suspicion: powerful organizations can hide risk until a scandal breaks it open. For many readers, that is the most disturbing part of the case.

The legal fight is not finished. A lawsuit has already been filed, and authorities have said they are still interviewing parents, teachers, and church leaders. The complaint argues the church failed to screen Perry and failed to warn parents and guardians. At the same time, the church says allegations are not proven and that it has not had a full chance to answer in court.