Richard Channing Shealy, 53, of Lexington, is now facing 20 additional charges in a child sexual abuse material case that opened earlier this year.

Shealy, who had a website detailing his career as a singer, songwriter and worship leader with involvement in Lexington area churches, was first arrested on March 26, 2026, on 13 charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors.

The case began after investigators discovered files sexually exploiting minors being shared online.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced 20 more charges against him last week, including two counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor in the first degree, four counts of committing a lewd act upon a child, 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in the first degree and four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in the second degree. 

"The new charges allege that Shealy possessed, distributed, and produced CSAM, including alleged acts of sexual assault on a minor," according to the May 1 press release. "The Sheriff’s Department made these additional charges after investigators uncovered additional images and information from the devices after a search warrant was conducted at his home. Shealy turned himself in this morning on the new charges."

Magistrate Judge Gary Reinhart denied him bond.

Shortly after his March arrest, his wife, Beth Shealy, resigned from her seat as Vice Chair of Lexington County School District One's Board of Trustees. 

"The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees has received the resignation of Board Vice Chair Beth Shealy, effective immediately," the March 29 statement from Lexington One read. "We understand the emotions and questions this situation has raised for students, families, employees and community members. Our priority is and will always be the wellbeing of our students."

The statement from the district did not mention Richard or his arrest specifically.

Candidate filing has closed for the special election to fill Beth's seat. The special election is set for June 23, and three have filed to run.

Richard's charges could carry two years in prison per count to 30 years in prison per count.

Sexual exploitation of a minor in the first degree could earn him three to 20 years in prison per count. Sexual exploitation of a minor in the second degree could earn him two to 10 years in prison per count. Sexual exploitation of a minor in the third degree could earn him up to 10 years in prison per count. Criminal sexual conduct with a minor in the first degree is a felony that carries 10 to 30 years in prison based upon the time the image was created. Committing a lewd act on a minor carries up to 15 years in prison based upon the time the act was committed. 

"Attorney General Wilson stressed that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law," the press release read, additionally noting that "Child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, is a more accurate reflection of the material involved in these heinous and abusive crimes. 'Pornography' can imply the child was a consenting participant. Globally, the term child pornography is being replaced by CSAM for this reason."