Former Coastal Carolina Basketball Player Charged with Multiple Exploitation Offenses
A former Coastal Carolina University basketball standout, Nadjrick Onandi Randy Peat, now sits behind bars as prosecutors build a case that could span decades.
Investigators say a digital forensic review of Peat’s phone uncovered a trove of videos that depict a minor engaged in sexual activity, material that was subsequently shared through both WhatsApp and iMessage platforms.
The discovery prompted a swift response from local law enforcement, leading to Peat’s initial arrest on criminal sexual conduct allegations and now a formal indictment on a series of exploitation counts.
According to the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, the indictment includes six counts of first‑degree sexual exploitation of a minor, eight counts of second‑degree exploitation, six counts of third‑degree exploitation, as well as a single count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and an additional charge of unlawful dissemination of obscene material to a person under 18.
While the charges carry heavy penalties, the case also shines a light on the collaborative effort between the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, Conway Police and the university’s own athletic compliance office, each playing a role in the investigation.
Legal analysts note that the breadth of the indictment reflects a growing trend of prosecutors leveraging digital evidence to pursue exploitation crimes, a strategy that has become increasingly vital in the age of instant messaging.
The community around Myrtle Beach and the broader South Carolina region has expressed shock, with many awaiting further details as the case proceeds through the courts.
Community Impact and Next Steps
As the legal process unfolds, the accused will have the opportunity to mount a defense, but the indictment underscores the seriousness with which the state treats the exploitation of children. Authorities have indicated that additional charges may be filed if further evidence emerges.