A longtime South Carolina church leader is facing serious charges after investigators say his phone contained dozens of illegal images involving minors. Daniel Keith Rabon, 62, was taken into custody by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office on June 30 and charged with sexual exploitation of a minor in the third degree.
Rabon had served as senior pastor at Taylor Street Baptist Church in Cayce for more than fifteen years, according to church records.
Investigators say a phone seized during his arrest held more than two dozen image and video files showing minors in sexually explicit contexts.
The case against him draws on the phone search, social media records, and statements collected from both Rabon and the alleged victims.
A third-degree charge covers possession of 26 to 250 such images and carries a possible sentence of one to ten years in prison.
What the charges involve
The arrest comes shortly after South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed House Bill 4804 into law in May. The measure received support from both parties and broadened criminal penalties tied to child sexual abuse material, including digitally altered or “morphed” images.
Rabon was released after posting a $125,000 bond and is now required to wear a GPS monitor while the case proceeds.
How the church has responded
Taylor Street Baptist Church released a statement expressing shock over the situation involving their longtime pastor. Church leaders say they are cooperating fully with investigators and providing whatever assistance law enforcement needs. They also confirmed they were told by authorities to take down their social media presence, a step meant to prevent additional families from being targeted online.
Key points from the case so far:
- Rabon has served at the church since January 2011, his only recorded ministry post
- The phone seized during his arrest reportedly held over 26 images and video files
- He faces a third-degree exploitation charge under the newly expanded state law
- He was released on a $125,000 bond with GPS monitoring conditions
- The church has pulled its social media page at the police’s recommendation
Church members were asked to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts as the investigation continues. Officials have not released additional details about how the images were discovered or whether more charges could follow as the case moves forward.
Anyone who has experienced or suspects abuse involving a pastor, staff member, or anyone connected to a Southern Baptist church or entity can reach out through the SBC Abuse Prevention helpline for support and guidance.
