CHARLESTON — Suspended magistrate James B. Gosnell Jr. has been indicted on federal charges, along with a second person whose identity is sealed. Both are accused of distributing child sexual abuse materials during this year and in 2024.

The charges accuse Gosnell of participating in the distribution of imagery of children engaging in sexual acts. The allegations come to light after investigators searched his cellphone in September and found images of child sexual abuse, and conversations between Gosnell and a co-conspirator discussing the sexual abuse of children.

The indictment was partially unsealed on Oct. 21. it accused Gosnell of communicating about the sexual abuse of children as far back as December 2023.

Gosnell served as a Charleston County magistrate for more than two decades

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