Midlands Theatre releases statement following company members’ arrest

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO)– Officials at a Midlands theatre are speaking out after a member of its company was arrested on charges related to child sexual abuse material.
A spokesperson for Trustus Theatre says Jonathan Monk previously taught acting classes for high school students for the theatre’s summer symposium.
In a statement on social media a spokesperson says “These are serious and distressing allegations, and we are treating them as such. We do not have information beyond what has been publicly reported, and we are cooperating fully with law enforcement. Trustus has spent years building and refining our policies and procedures to maintain a safe and healthy space for creating and attending theatre. The safety and wellbeing of our community—our artists, staff, students, volunteers, and audiences— remains our highest priority, and we will continue to review and strengthen those safeguards. We are committed to moving forward as responsibly and transparently as can be while this matter is ongoing.”

On Tuesday, according to the US Justice Dept., a federal grand jury in Columbia returned a nine-count indictment charging Monk, who was also a former teacher, for attempted production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material.

Monk, 44, of Columbia, faces a maximum penalty of 30 years’ imprisonment and a mandatory minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elle E. Klein is prosecuting the case.