Repeat Child Sex Offender Sentenced to 25 Years for Attempted Transfer of Obscene Material

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Chad Michael Rabon, 34, of Lugoff, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor and two corresponding counts of commission of a felony sex offense involving a minor by a registered sex offender.

Evidence presented to the court showed that from May 23 to June 30, 2022, Rabon, a previously convicted and registered sex offender, knowingly had sexually explicitly conversations with an undercover agent who Rabon believed to be a 13-year-old girl. He used the social media platform KIK Messenger for the purpose of persuading the perceived minor to engage in sexual activity. In addition, on May 26 and June 29, 2022, Rabon sent pornographic images and obscene videos to the undercover agent, to entice the person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity.

"Rabon, a registered sex offender, knowingly preyed on who he believed to be a child. This sentence reflects the serious nature of Rabon's crime, and we will continue to hold such offenders accountable," said Adair F. Boroughs, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina.

"HSI is a global leader in the fight against child predators and their exploitative behavior," said Cardell T. Morant, special agent in charge of HSI Charlotte that covers North and South Carolina. "HSI and its partners remain steadfast in the fight to protect our most vulnerable population from exploitation."

Rabon is a registered sex offender having previously been convicted on state charges of criminal solicitation of a minor and criminal sexual conduct with a minor, victim 11 to 14 years of age, second degree.

United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel sentenced Rabon to 300 months' imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Rabon will also be required to register as a sex offender upon release from prison.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Mount Pleasant Police Department, and South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is operated through the State of South Carolina Attorney General's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean H. Secor is prosecuting the case.

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