ROBBINS, N.C. (WTVD) – A Moore County man, Ryan Michael Olufs, 40, has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies in connection with a child sex crime investigation, according to Sheriff Ronnie Fields.
The case began after a tip was submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). On Wednesday, the Moore County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children (NCICAC) Task Force, executed a search warrant at Olufs’ residence on the 2800 block of Plank Road in Robbins.
Olufs was charged with one count of felony second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of felony third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. He is currently being held in the Moore County Detention Center on a $1 million secured bond.
According to the Southern Pines Academy website, Olufs is employed at a child care center in Moore County that is owned by his wife. The couple has reportedly operated the daycare since 2018.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges are expected.
Sheriff Fields praised the inter-agency cooperation that led to the arrest and encouraged the public to remain vigilant in protecting children from online exploitation.
