NEW ARREST IN PAWLEYS ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH CASE

(July 20, 2026) Sheriff Carter Weaver announces the arrest of Michael Anthony Fields in the ongoing investigation into Pawleys Island Community Church. Fields is charged with Unlawfully Placing a Child at Risk or Causing a Child Harm. Fields serves as Director of Operations/Missions at the church and was responsible for the security of the entire campus and the safety of the students of the Pawleys Island Christian Academy (PICA). He was booked into the Georgetown County Detention Center and scheduled for a bond hearing at 9 am tomorrow, July 30, at the Georgetown County Magistrates’ Court at 333 Cleland Street.

The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office is in the third week of its investigation into how church leadership allowed convicted sex offender Warren Perry to volunteer on campus in close proximity to children for years. As the investigation has widened, partners from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center, the Children’s Recovery Center, the Attorney General’s Office, the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), and the SC Department of Probation, Pardon and Parole have all been instrumental in moving different facets forward.

At this time, the Sheriff’s Office and its partners are continuing the investigation through interviews and examination of forensic digital evidence extracted from devices utilized by church leaders. Specialized forensic interviews have been conducted by the Children’s Recovery Center with students who may or may not have been victims of a criminal act while at PICA. These interviews have not resulted in any findings of criminal sexual conduct to date.

Perry was arrested on July 20 and his SC Probation, Pardon and Parole hearing was held this morning. He was found in violation of his probation and his case was bound over to General Sessions. Former church pastor Don Williams, church administrator Ginny Williams, and former PICA director Jennifer “Niki” Howard were all arrested later on July 20. They are all charged with Obstruction, Criminal Conspiracy, and Unlawfully Placing a Child at Risk or Causing a Child Harm.
The investigation continues. Any parents of children who attended PICA, anyone who feels they may have been victimized, or anyone else with information about this case are encouraged to call 843-546-5102.