Judge dismisses charges against sex offender in South Carolina church case

PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC (WPDE) — Questions remain in the Pawleys Island Community Church case after a judge dismissed charges against a registered sex offender accused of volunteering around children and the church leaders accused of allowing it.

Convicted sex offender Warren Perry had been accused of volunteering at a church with a day school, and authorities alleged the pastor and several church leaders knew of his past.

Perry was charged with criminal conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

Pastor Don Williams and Niki Howard faced charges of obstruction, unlawfully placing a child at risk or causing a child harm, and criminal conspiracy.

The defendants were cleared in court Friday, after a judge dismissed the charges.

15th Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson, whose office serves Horry and Georgetown counties, said evidence presented to the judge may not have met the legal threshold needed to keep the case moving.

“What I think could be important to the judge is you have proven that he is being around kids. But, you know, the photographs show a lot of adults there also,” Richardson said.

But in July 2026, former PICA teacher Eliza Perez said she alerted Williams after learning of Perry’s past and described what she said Williams told her: “He said to me, you don’t want to be the type of Christian that would spread this information.”

Asked about how that statement differs from conspiring to keep information hidden, Richardson pointed to how investigators and courts weigh evidence.

“When the police are looking at it and you’ve got people saying this is wrong, we need to tell, that certainly pushes you to believe that, this person knew or should have known,” Richardson said. He added, “The judge, I would think put a lot of credibility on what was told to, the person that was on probation.”

Richardson also addressed questions about why Perry is not facing consequences for an alleged probation violation.

He said Perry could still get in trouble for breaking probation because that matter remains “under advisement.” But Richardson said the criminal conspiracy case required proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and that standard was not met.

Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver issued a statement putting pressure on the South Carolina attorney general’s office and the South Carolina Probation, Parole and Pardon Board. Richardson said he expects the case will ultimately change how the agency monitors convicted offenders.

Civil cases against Perry and the former church leaders remain active.

The judge is still considering the case involving Perry’s probation violation.