Rabon Gets 25 Years for Targeting ’13-Year-Old’

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Chad Michael Rabon, 34, of Lugoff, South Carolina, will spend the next 25 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to preying on what he thought was a child online. Rabon was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard M. Gergel on charges of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor and commission of a felony sex offense as a registered sex offender.

The case, built on evidence gathered between May 23 and June 30, 2022, revealed Rabon engaged in sexually explicit conversations with an undercover Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent posing as a 13-year-old girl. He used the KIK Messenger platform to attempt to persuade the agent into sexual activity. The investigation further uncovered Rabon sending pornographic images and obscene videos on May 26 and June 29, 2022, specifically to entice the perceived minor.

“Rabon, a registered sex offender, knowingly preyed on who he believed to be a child,” stated U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina, Adair F. Boroughs. “This sentence reflects the serious nature of Rabon’s crime, and we will continue to hold such offenders accountable.” The sentencing carries no possibility of parole, and Rabon will be required to re-register as a sex offender upon release.

Cardell T. Morant, special agent in charge of HSI Charlotte (covering North and South Carolina), emphasized the agency’s commitment: “HSI is a global leader in the fight against child predators and their exploitative behavior. HSI and its partners remain steadfast in the fight to protect our most vulnerable population from exploitation.” This case highlights the dangers of online grooming and the relentless pursuit of those who target children.

This isn’t Rabon’s first encounter with the law. He’s a previously convicted sex offender, with prior state convictions for criminal solicitation of a minor and criminal sexual conduct with a minor, victim between 11 and 14 years of age. Judge Gergel handed down a 300-month sentence – 25 years – followed by a lifetime of court-ordered supervision.

The investigation was a collaborative effort by Homeland Security Investigations, the Mount Pleasant Police Department, and the South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, operating under the State of South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. This case was brought forth under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean H. Secor prosecuted the case. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at http://www.justice.gov/psc.