Over 23,000 illegal images found in Union County child exploitation case: Sheriff

UNION COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – An online tip led Union County investigators to uncover more than 23,000 illegal images in a major child exploitation case.

According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, its Special Victims Unit received a cyber tip from a social media platform through the Internet Crimes Against Children program.

Detectives launched an investigation that identified the suspect as Paul Metcalf.

Deputies executed a search warrant at Metcalf’s home and seized all digital devices. During questioning, Metcalf admitted to possessing child sexual abuse material, the sheriff’s office said.

He was arrested and taken to the Union County Detention Center on a $200,000 bond.

After forensic experts examined his seized devices, they discovered more than 23,000 illegal images, leading to additional charges and another $200,000 bond. Metcalf is now being held under a total bond of $400,000, and the investigation remains active.

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