Topline: Federal prosecutors say longtime Myrtle Beach counselor Robert Edward McCarthy used a work computer to store child sexual abuse material after an overseas tip led the FBI to files and emails that investigators say could support more serious charges.
Published: April 15, 2026 12:30 pm ET
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FLORENCE, SC — Robert “Bob” Edward McCarthy, a 76-year-old Myrtle Beach , South Carolina mental health counselor who has worked in the field since the 1980s, was charged with possessing child sexual abuse material after the FBI searched his practice and said it found multiple illicit files on his work computer.
According to The Post and Courier Myrtle Beach, McCarthy appeared in federal court in Florence on April 7, and a judge is expected to decide whether he will remain jailed as the case moves forward. Prosecutors said McCarthy has been in custody since April 2.
Federal prosecutors told the court they believe McCarthy obtained the material between July 2025 and March 30. They said the investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received information March 6 from a tipline in the Netherlands about possible child sex abuse material.
Authorities said a Dutch resident was mistakenly forwarded an email chain allegedly involving McCarthy and an unidentified second person. Prosecutors said the messages contained references to pedophilia, identity theft, links and files involving child molestation, and plans for further acts of child sexual abuse.
The FBI received the tip March 11 and traced the email address, IP address and other details to McCarthy and his counseling practice, McCarthy Counseling Associates, according to the report. A Dutch organization also tracked an IP address from the tip and found it matched the IP address for the counseling office on Oleander Drive in Myrtle Beach.
After obtaining a search warrant for the computer server on March 30, FBI agents said they found numerous child pornography files. Court records cited in the report said at least eight pornographic photos and videos were stored in a folder labeled “Old Records and Correspondence.”
Those files included videos and color photos depicting multiple victims of child sexual abuse, all described in the FBI complaint as prepubescent, according to the report. The files were named “Angel Video” or “Angel Frame” followed by different numbers, authorities said.
Investigators said the same “Old Records and Correspondence” folder also contained official practice documents. One document was described as an apparent patient veteran claim that included the person’s care background and a professional opinion of the person’s mental status, bearing the practice’s official letterhead and McCarthy’s digital signature.
A subfolder within that directory contained nearly 40 documents that appeared to relate to “Papa’s Comprehensive Cognitive Education Report,” with McCarthy listed as the examiner, according to the FBI complaint.
Prosecutors argued McCarthy should remain jailed, calling him both a flight risk and a danger to the community. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Hummel and Elliott Daniels told the court that details in the email thread reviewed by the FBI allegedly connected back to McCarthy, including corroborated vacation times, family details and the physical location of a USB drive containing child sexual abuse material inside the practice.
Daniels also told the court the government believes McCarthy has engaged in similar conduct for decades without being caught and said he is likely to face more serious charges soon.
McCarthy’s attorney, Joseph Hopkins, argued for conditional release, saying his client is neither a flight risk nor a danger to the community. Hopkins pointed to McCarthy’s decades of counseling and therapy work, the absence of criminal history or complaints, and health problems that include limited vision from glaucoma and partial deafness.
During cross-examination of an FBI agent, Hopkins argued McCarthy had been framed by a patient who previously told McCarthy he had put pornography on other people’s computers to get them into trouble. The FBI questioned that patient and did not believe he was responsible, according to the report.
Hopkins told the court McCarthy denies being a pedophile and cited his published articles, awards, certifications and family support, including from his wife and all three of his children. One of those children previously worked at the practice, the report said.
Hopkins also said McCarthy will never practice counseling again and is “shutting it down and selling it off,” according to the report.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys declined to comment after the hearing. No ruling on detention was reported in the article.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Myrtle Beach Counselor Charged After FBI Says It Found Child Sexual Abuse Material
Federal prosecutors say longtime Myrtle Beach counselor Robert Edward McCarthy used a work computer to store child sexual abuse material after an overseas tip led the FBI to files and emails that investigators say could support more serious charges.
By Silvia Torres
Published: April 15, 2026 12:30 pm ET
FLORENCE, SC — Robert “Bob” Edward McCarthy, a 76-year-old Myrtle Beach , South Carolina mental health counselor who has worked in the field since the 1980s, was charged with possessing child sexual abuse material after the FBI searched his practice and said it found multiple illicit files on his work computer.
According to The Post and Courier Myrtle Beach, McCarthy appeared in federal court in Florence on April 7, and a judge is expected to decide whether he will remain jailed as the case moves forward. Prosecutors said McCarthy has been in custody since April 2.
Federal prosecutors told the court they believe McCarthy obtained the material between July 2025 and March 30. They said the investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received information March 6 from a tipline in the Netherlands about possible child sex abuse material.
Authorities said a Dutch resident was mistakenly forwarded an email chain allegedly involving McCarthy and an unidentified second person. Prosecutors said the messages contained references to pedophilia, identity theft, links and files involving child molestation, and plans for further acts of child sexual abuse.
The FBI received the tip March 11 and traced the email address, IP address and other details to McCarthy and his counseling practice, McCarthy Counseling Associates, according to the report. A Dutch organization also tracked an IP address from the tip and found it matched the IP address for the counseling office on Oleander Drive in Myrtle Beach.
After obtaining a search warrant for the computer server on March 30, FBI agents said they found numerous child pornography files. Court records cited in the report said at least eight pornographic photos and videos were stored in a folder labeled “Old Records and Correspondence.”
Those files included videos and color photos depicting multiple victims of child sexual abuse, all described in the FBI complaint as prepubescent, according to the report. The files were named “Angel Video” or “Angel Frame” followed by different numbers, authorities said.
Investigators said the same “Old Records and Correspondence” folder also contained official practice documents. One document was described as an apparent patient veteran claim that included the person’s care background and a professional opinion of the person’s mental status, bearing the practice’s official letterhead and McCarthy’s digital signature.
A subfolder within that directory contained nearly 40 documents that appeared to relate to “Papa’s Comprehensive Cognitive Education Report,” with McCarthy listed as the examiner, according to the FBI complaint.
Prosecutors argued McCarthy should remain jailed, calling him both a flight risk and a danger to the community. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Hummel and Elliott Daniels told the court that details in the email thread reviewed by the FBI allegedly connected back to McCarthy, including corroborated vacation times, family details and the physical location of a USB drive containing child sexual abuse material inside the practice.
Daniels also told the court the government believes McCarthy has engaged in similar conduct for decades without being caught and said he is likely to face more serious charges soon.
McCarthy’s attorney, Joseph Hopkins, argued for conditional release, saying his client is neither a flight risk nor a danger to the community. Hopkins pointed to McCarthy’s decades of counseling and therapy work, the absence of criminal history or complaints, and health problems that include limited vision from glaucoma and partial deafness.
During cross-examination of an FBI agent, Hopkins argued McCarthy had been framed by a patient who previously told McCarthy he had put pornography on other people’s computers to get them into trouble. The FBI questioned that patient and did not believe he was responsible, according to the report.
Hopkins told the court McCarthy denies being a pedophile and cited his published articles, awards, certifications and family support, including from his wife and all three of his children. One of those children previously worked at the practice, the report said.
Hopkins also said McCarthy will never practice counseling again and is “shutting it down and selling it off,” according to the report.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys declined to comment after the hearing. No ruling on detention was reported in the article.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Myrtle Beach Counselor Charged After FBI Says It Found Child Sexual Abuse Material
Federal prosecutors say longtime Myrtle Beach counselor Robert Edward McCarthy used a work computer to store child sexual abuse material after an overseas tip led the FBI to files and emails that investigators say could support more serious charges.
By Silvia Torres
Published: April 15, 2026 12:30 pm ET
FLORENCE, SC — Robert “Bob” Edward McCarthy, a 76-year-old Myrtle Beach , South Carolina mental health counselor who has worked in the field since the 1980s, was charged with possessing child sexual abuse material after the FBI searched his practice and said it found multiple illicit files on his work computer.
According to The Post and Courier Myrtle Beach, McCarthy appeared in federal court in Florence on April 7, and a judge is expected to decide whether he will remain jailed as the case moves forward. Prosecutors said McCarthy has been in custody since April 2.
Federal prosecutors told the court they believe McCarthy obtained the material between July 2025 and March 30. They said the investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received information March 6 from a tipline in the Netherlands about possible child sex abuse material.
Authorities said a Dutch resident was mistakenly forwarded an email chain allegedly involving McCarthy and an unidentified second person. Prosecutors said the messages contained references to pedophilia, identity theft, links and files involving child molestation, and plans for further acts of child sexual abuse.
The FBI received the tip March 11 and traced the email address, IP address and other details to McCarthy and his counseling practice, McCarthy Counseling Associates, according to the report. A Dutch organization also tracked an IP address from the tip and found it matched the IP address for the counseling office on Oleander Drive in Myrtle Beach.
After obtaining a search warrant for the computer server on March 30, FBI agents said they found numerous child pornography files. Court records cited in the report said at least eight pornographic photos and videos were stored in a folder labeled “Old Records and Correspondence.”
Those files included videos and color photos depicting multiple victims of child sexual abuse, all described in the FBI complaint as prepubescent, according to the report. The files were named “Angel Video” or “Angel Frame” followed by different numbers, authorities said.
Investigators said the same “Old Records and Correspondence” folder also contained official practice documents. One document was described as an apparent patient veteran claim that included the person’s care background and a professional opinion of the person’s mental status, bearing the practice’s official letterhead and McCarthy’s digital signature.
A subfolder within that directory contained nearly 40 documents that appeared to relate to “Papa’s Comprehensive Cognitive Education Report,” with McCarthy listed as the examiner, according to the FBI complaint.
Prosecutors argued McCarthy should remain jailed, calling him both a flight risk and a danger to the community. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Hummel and Elliott Daniels told the court that details in the email thread reviewed by the FBI allegedly connected back to McCarthy, including corroborated vacation times, family details and the physical location of a USB drive containing child sexual abuse material inside the practice.
Daniels also told the court the government believes McCarthy has engaged in similar conduct for decades without being caught and said he is likely to face more serious charges soon.
McCarthy’s attorney, Joseph Hopkins, argued for conditional release, saying his client is neither a flight risk nor a danger to the community. Hopkins pointed to McCarthy’s decades of counseling and therapy work, the absence of criminal history or complaints, and health problems that include limited vision from glaucoma and partial deafness.
During cross-examination of an FBI agent, Hopkins argued McCarthy had been framed by a patient who previously told McCarthy he had put pornography on other people’s computers to get them into trouble. The FBI questioned that patient and did not believe he was responsible, according to the report.
Hopkins told the court McCarthy denies being a pedophile and cited his published articles, awards, certifications and family support, including from his wife and all three of his children. One of those children previously worked at the practice, the report said.
Hopkins also said McCarthy will never practice counseling again and is “shutting it down and selling it off,” according to the report.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys declined to comment after the hearing. No ruling on detention was reported in the article.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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