Irwin Wilson, a former pastor and candidate for Columbia mayor, was granted bail this week after being charged with multiple sex crimes against a minor, the Richland County sheriff’s office said.
On August 29, Wilson’s defense requested an expedited bail hearing, which was granted. Bail was set at $150,000 with conditions including electronic monitoring.
Wilson, 53, was charged in July with first-degree criminal sexual acts with a minor and third-degree criminal sexual acts with a minor. He was already a registered sex offender, according to the sheriff’s department.
Wilson, a former pastor and real estate agent, filed for mayor of Columbia in 2010. He was disqualified because he had been released from prison 13 years earlier, The State reported at the time. State law prohibited convicted felons from running for public office for 15 years after they had served their sentences. He had been convicted of third-degree criminal sexual conduct in 1994, The State reported.
As of Friday, Wilson remained in custody at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
Last month, deputies said more charges were expected against Wilson. Police were searching for other victims of the former pastor and encouraged people to call detectives at 803-576-3032.
