The Daily Tar Heel
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893.
Friday, March 29, 2024 Newsletters Latest print issue

We keep you informed.

Help us keep going. Donate Today.
The Daily Tar Heel

Orange County Sheriff's Office arrests man on 20 counts of child exploitation

Harold Bowden was arrested for 20 counts of child exploitation and one count of possession of a firearm as a felon.

Authorities placed a Rougemont man into custody on 20 counts of third degree exploitation of a minor and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon on Tuesday, June 5 following his surrender. 

Harold Dean Bowden, 62, turned himself in following a months-long investigation by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

“The chronology of this case shows how time consuming and detailed these investigations are,” said lead investigator of the case Ashley Woodlief in an Orange County Sheriff’s Office press release. “As perpetrators are collecting or sending digital images, we may simultaneously be working through the steps required to secure a warrant. Sometimes the original tip we received might be about one or two inappropriate images, but by the time we seize electronic evidence, the inventory may have increased significantly.”

A cyber tip was sent to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding possible child pornography on Feb. 13, 2019.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation obtained a search warrant for the IP address and connected it with a suspect name and possible home address, which was within the jurisdiction of the Orange County Sheriff’s office. 

Investigators who are members of the Internet Crimes Against Children task force began working the case in March 2019. They reviewed the identified files and confirmed the images were child pornography. It was confirmed that Bowden lived at the address. 

A search warrant was issued on April 9, allowing investigators to search Bowden’s home and collect digital evidence. A weapon was found during the search. Another search warrant issued three days later allowed investigators to review items collected from the home, leading to the 20 counts of child exploitation.

Investigators are still reviewing other digital evidence. Additional charges are possible. 

Investigators learned Bowden had prior convictions for indecent liberties with a minor, according to the press release. 

Bowden was placed under a $68,000 secured bond, which was posted by a bail agent. He was released the same day. 

Bowden’s next court date will be July 26. 

city@dailytarheel

@maringwolf

To get the day's news and headlines in your inbox each morning, sign up for our email newsletters.

Special Print Edition
The Daily Tar Heel's Collaborative Mental Health Edition