GREENVILLE — Gary Pemberton, 52, the man responsible for an estimated 47,000 inflammatory comments across Greenville-area Facebook groups, reportedly received an actual lump of coal in his Christmas stocking this year, sources close to the family confirmed.

"I don't understand," said Pemberton, holding the coal with a bewildered expression. "I've been a good person. I've tried to wake people up. I've called out the mainstream media. I've done my own research."

Pemberton, known online as "TruthSeeker1972," has become a fixture in local Facebook groups including "Greenville SC Community Discussion," "Mauldin Neighbors," and "Greenville County Politics (NO LIBERALS)." His contributions typically involve calling other users "sheep," questioning the credentials of local journalists, and responding to restaurant recommendations with unsolicited political commentary.

"He commented 'this is what's wrong with America' on a photo of someone's dog."

"He's been blocked by over 3,000 people," said his wife, Denise, who requested her location be kept confidential. "I've been telling him for years this was coming. Santa sees everything, Gary. Everything."

According to data compiled by absolutely no one until now, Pemberton's 2024 online activity included 892 uses of the phrase "do your research," 1,247 comments containing the word "sheeple," and 43 instances of posting "Fake news!" on articles he admitted to not reading.

Local group moderator Susan Chen, who has personally banned Pemberton from six different community groups, expressed satisfaction at the news. "I've removed thousands of his comments. He once derailed a thread about a lost cat into a 200-comment argument about border policy. A cat," she said. "The coal feels appropriate."

Pemberton initially suspected the coal was a conspiracy. "My first thought was that Big Gift was trying to silence me," he admitted. "But then my grandson explained that no, this is just what happens when you're terrible online for four straight years."

The experience has prompted Pemberton to reflect on his behavior. "Maybe I don't need to comment on every single post," he said. "Maybe sometimes people just want to share a photo of their garden without me explaining how it relates to government overreach."

Pemberton's New Year's resolution is to "touch grass more often," a phrase his grandson had to explain to him twice.

He has already posted about the coal incident in seven Facebook groups, calling it "a wake-up call for America."