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Child Exploitation Operation Ends with 14 Arrested, 68 Charges Filed in Multi-Agency Takedown in North Carolina

Investigators posed as children online and used cyber tips as child-exploitation reports in North Carolina rose from 5,000 in 2019 to 52,000 in 2025.

  • On Wednesday, Lee County Sheriff Brian Estes announced 14 arrests in Operation Midnight Shadow, a multi-agency sting targeting individuals accused of sexually exploiting children online.
  • The July operation, coordinated with the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, resulted in 68 criminal charges across North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Nevada.
  • Suspects range in age from 19 to 75, with 11 of the 14 arrested in Lee County; authorities allege they used social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and X to solicit children.
  • Local authorities continue working with the Lee County District Attorney's Office to move cases forward, following a two-part investigation that included undercover officers posing as children online.
  • Cyber tips have surged from around 5,000 in 2019 to more than 52,000 by 2025, prompting Sheriff Estes to urge parents to monitor children's online activity closely.
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15 Articles

abc 7 NYabc 7 NY
+6 Reposted by 6 other sources
Center

Child exploitation operation ends with 14 arrested, 68 charges filed in multi-agency takedown in North Carolina

A month-long, multi-state investigation targeting the online sexual exploitation of children resulted in 14 arrests and 68 criminal charges

·New York, United States
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13 News Now13 News Now
Center

Multi-agency child sex sting leads to 14 facing charges in North Carolina

A multi-agency operation led by the Lee County Sheriff's Office resulted in the arrest of 14 men on child exploitation charges in North Carolina.

·Norfolk, United States
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abc11 Raleighabc11 Raleigh
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Child exploitation operation ends with 14 arrested, 68 charges filed across multiple states

A investigation targeting the online sexual exploitation of children resulted in 14 arrests and 68 criminal charges, Lee Co. Sheriff's Office says

·Durham, United States
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WWAY TVWWAY TV
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Multi-agency child sex sting leads to 14 arrests, including Castle Hayne man

LEE COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Castle Hayne man is among 14 people arrested in a multi-agency operation targeting the exploitation and solicitation of children in Lee County and surrounding areas, authorities announced. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said the July operation was conducted in coordination with the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Invictus Task Force and numerous local, state and federal agencies. Authorities…

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Wral NewsWral News
Center

Over a dozen arrests made in Operation 'Midnight Shadow' child sex sting

The Lee County Sheriff's Office and multiple agencies arrested 14 people on sexual exploitation of minors and the solicitation of children by computer for sex acts charges.

·Raleigh, United States
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WECT NewsWECT News
Center

Castle Hayne man among 14 arrested in multi-state child sex crimes sting

A massive sting operation has taken down several sex offenders in North Carolina, Nevada and Kentucky.

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The Sanford Herald broke the news in Sanford, United States on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
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