Three men, including former fiancé of US Representative Nancy Mace, have been charged in connection with an alleged sexual assault involving an incapacitated 23-year-old woman in South Carolina in October 2018.
According to sworn statements from agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, John Douglas Osborne allegedly committed sexual acts against the woman while Patrick Bryant, Mace’s former fiancé, and Eric Bernard Bowman watched.
Investigators allege that the men discussed who would assault the woman beforehand.
They also reportedly took photographs and recorded the incident, which was captured by a security system at a property on Sullivan’s Island, an affluent community near Charleston.
Osborne, 46, faces one count of first-degree assault and battery and two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Bryant, 53, and Bowman, 46, have each been charged with voyeurism.
Bowman faces two additional charges: obstruction of justice and publishing the name of a victim of criminal sexual conduct.
Investigators Describe Alleged Assault Captured on Security Footage
The woman was reportedly intoxicated and incapacitated when the alleged assault occurred.
According to investigators, she had fallen into a swimming pool before being found unconscious on a couch, where she was covering herself with a pillow.
Authorities said another woman who was watching the security system feed witnessed the alleged assault.
She reportedly took photographs and documented what she had seen in a journal.
The investigation also alleges that the incident was recorded through photographs and video.
In Bowman’s case, investigators accused him of resetting a mobile phone to its factory settings despite knowing that authorities were seeking the device through a search warrant.
He was also charged over an allegation that he published the victim’s name alongside a video of her on X.
Nancy Mace Detailed Allegations in House Floor Speech
Mace publicly discussed the alleged incident in February 2025 during a speech on the floor of the US House of Representatives that lasted nearly an hour.
The Republican congresswoman named the men and described other photographs and videos she said she discovered after examining Bryant’s cellphone while they were still together.
Mace and Bryant were not engaged at the time of the alleged October 2018 assault.
During her speech, Mace said she had inadvertently discovered material relating to what she described as serious crimes against women and girls.
“We’re talking about rape, non-consensual photos, non-consensual videos of women and underage girls, and the premeditated, calculated exploitation of women and girls in my district,” she said.
Mace has also been among the lawmakers calling for the release of files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Bryant Previously Denied the Allegations
Bryant previously rejected the allegations when contacted by The Associated Press.
“I take this matter seriously and will cooperate fully with any necessary legal processes to clear my name,” he said at the time.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has not disclosed whether its investigation into the men is continuing.
The charges against the three men stem from the investigation into the alleged assault and related conduct described by state agents.
Mace Outlines Legislative Proposals to Protect Victims
Following the charges, Mace issued a statement outlining 25 bills she said were intended to protect people who experience sexual assault, harassment or discrimination.
The proposals include measures addressing retaliatory defamation and libel lawsuits that may be brought against people who speak publicly about alleged misconduct.
Mace introduced a proposal during the same week that would require individuals who bring such lawsuits and lose their cases to pay the defendant’s legal fees.
“Protecting women and holding predators accountable isn’t a slogan. It’s been one of my top priorities in Congress,” Mace said in her statement.
“For too long, survivors have faced broken systems while predators exploited loopholes and walked free.”
Congresswoman Prepares to Leave the House
Mace is due to leave the House of Representatives at the end of her current term after losing her bid to become governor of South Carolina.
Her departure from Congress follows the end of her gubernatorial campaign, while her legislative proposals on protections for victims remain part of her public agenda.
