Bond set at $25K for church operations director in Pawleys Island investigation

A fifth individual, Michael Anthony Fields, the church operations director at Pawleys Island Community Church, was arrested Wednesday and charged with unlawfully placing a child at risk or causing child harm. Fields oversees security on the church campus and student safety at the affiliated Pawleys Island Christian Academy (PICA). This arrest marks a significant escalation in the ongoing investigation targeting church leadership regarding the presence of convicted sex offender Warren Perry on the premises.
The investigation, now in its third week, specifically focuses on church leadership and how Perry, a registered sex offender, gained permission to volunteer nearby children for years. Deputies are intensifying their probe by continuing interviews and scrutinizing forensic digital evidence recovered from devices belonging to church leaders. These specialized interviews, conducted by the Children’s Recovery Center, aim to understand experiences at PICA but have not yet confirmed any criminal sexual conduct.
Warren Perry himself was arrested on July 20th. His case took a further step Wednesday morning when a judge at the South Carolina Department of Probation, Pardon and Parole determined he violated the terms of his plea agreement. Consequently, his case is being advanced to General Sessions Court, indicating a potential for more serious charges.
Previously, on July 20th, three others were arrested: former church Pastor Don Williams, Administrator Ginny Williams, and former PICA Director Jennifer “Niki” Howard. They face charges of obstruction, criminal conspiracy, and unlawfully placing a child at risk or causing child harm. This collective action underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the alleged institutional failures and misconduct claims within the organization.

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