Aiken, South Carolina, October 15, 2025
News Summary
William Daniel Mayes, a 54-year-old attorney from Aiken, faces grave charges after being arrested for child exploitation and voyeurism. Following an investigation by the South Carolina attorney general’s ICAC task force, it was revealed that Mayes recorded individuals without consent and possessed child sexual abuse material. His law license has been suspended, and a civil lawsuit has been filed by a victim whose privacy was violated at a rental property owned by Mayes.
Aiken, South Carolina – William Daniel Mayes, a 54-year-old attorney based in Aiken, faces serious criminal charges involving child exploitation and voyeurism. Mayes was arrested on October 29, 2024, following an operation led by the South Carolina attorney general’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force in collaboration with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO).
The arrest resulted from a CyberTipline report submitted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Investigators discovered that Mayes had unlawfully recorded individuals without their knowledge and possessed numerous files classified as child sexual abuse material (CSAM). As a result, he has been charged with five counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, with each count potentially leading to a sentence of up to ten years in prison. Additionally, Mayes faces two counts of voyeurism, each carrying a maximum sentence of three years.
In the wake of his arrest, the South Carolina Supreme Court took the immediate action of indefinitely suspending Mayes’ law license. Just days later, on January 7, 2025, a civil lawsuit was filed against him and his wife, Shannon Mayes, in Aiken County by attorney Debbie Barbier. The lawsuit represents the interests of Chloe Kaplan, a victim who was recorded while undressing during her stay at a rental property owned by Mayes.
The investigation revealed that Mayes had installed hidden cameras in a rental unit in Folly Beach, capturing renters without their consent. Authorities executed a search warrant at Mayes’ Aiken residence and found hundreds of videos stored in his Dropbox account, including a troubling video labeled “Folly HC” that involved minor Kaplan in an inappropriate context.
Prior to these incidents, Mayes was associated with the law firm Smith Massey Brodie Guynn and Mayes, which has since removed his information from its website. In December 2024, he faced additional legal troubles in Charleston County, where he was charged with fourteen counts of first-degree voyeurism and one count of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Following these charges, Mayes’ bond was set at $260,000, from which he was subsequently released.
Alongside Mayes, the civil lawsuit also alleges negligence and invasion of privacy, implicating his wife Shannon Mayes due to her role in managing the rental property. Attorney Debbie Barbier, who is representing Kaplan, has a record of success in similar cases, having previously won a $45 million verdict involving hidden cameras in rental units.
Background Context
The case brings to light significant concerns regarding the safety and privacy of individuals during rental experiences. The alarming rise in cases involving hidden cameras in rental properties highlights a growing trend of exploitation that authorities and victims are increasingly working to combat. The reported allegations against William Daniel Mayes add to the pressing need for stricter regulations and accountability for property owners to safeguard their renters against such violations.
Key Details Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Defendant Name | William Daniel Mayes |
| Age | 54 |
| Location | Aiken, South Carolina |
| Arrest Date | October 29, 2024 |
| Charges | 5 counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor; 2 counts of voyeurism |
| Maximum Possible Sentence | Up to 10 years for each exploitation count; up to 3 years for each voyeurism count |
| Civil Lawsuit Filed | January 7, 2025 |
| Victim in Civil Lawsuit | Chloe Kaplan |
FAQ
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Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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U.S. Army Officer Re-Arrested on Sexual Crimes Charges
Additional Resources
- Fits News: Civil lawsuit filed against South Carolina attorney accused of voyeurism
- Wikipedia: Voyeurism
- The State: News on recent criminal activity
- Google Search: Child Exploitation Laws
- SC Daily Gazette: Aiken attorney arrested on child exploitation charges
- Google Scholar: Voyeurism Legal Cases
- The State: Local Crime News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Protection Laws
- SC Daily Gazette: SC Attorney General on case backlog
- Google News: South Carolina Attorney General
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
