COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C. — Dusty Paul Matthews, 38, was arrested following a joint investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), Homeland Security Investigations, and the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities executed a search warrant at Matthews’ residence on Mill Branch Church Road in Tabor City after receiving multiple cyber tips from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
During the search, law enforcement discovered several items of evidence linking Matthews to the sexual exploitation of a minor. He now faces five counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
Matthews is currently being held without bond at the Columbus County Detention Center. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance on August 19.
