An Orange County resident and sex offender faces several counts of sexual exploitation of a minor following an investigation by North Carolina law enforcement and Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

A release from the sheriff’s office said its deputies arrested and charged 34-year-old Daniel Cody Wright on Wednesday over one count of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and three counts of third-degree sexual exploitation. Both are categorized as felonies and are related to either possessing or buying/selling material containing visuals of a minor engaged in sexual activity.

Wright, who lives at a mobile home park in the part of Orange County within Durham city limits, was required to register as a sex offender in Sep. 2024 after serving a 15-month prison sentence in another state for similar crimes committed in 2022. An Internet Crime Against Children tip from the State Bureau of Investigation started the case against Wright and ICAC task force members began working with local law enforcement several weeks ago to develop probably cause of Wright’s arrest, according to Wednesday’s release.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said additional charges may ultimately be filed against Wright. After taking him into custody Wednesday morning, investigators used a search warrant to collect electronics from his home which will be scanned to see if Wright possessed even more illegal materials.

The local magistrate ordered Wright to be confined at the Orange County Detention Center under a $25,000 secured bond following his arrest. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance on the charges on Thursday, July 17.

RAINN offers a 24/7 hotline and online chat line to use for crisis support of sexual assault or abuse victims. Call the hotline at 800-656-4673, and access the online chat hotline here.

 

Featured photo via the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Sheriff's Office Says Orange County Teen 'Safely Located' After Search
The Orange County Sheriff's Office shared an alert to the public Thursday morning, asking for assistance in locating 15-year-old Haylee Moore.
OC Sheriff's Office Requests Help Finding Missing, 'Possibly Endangered' Man
Orange County deputies are asking for the public's help as they search for Joseph Lee Cox.
Orange County Sheriff's Office Searching for Missing Teen (UPDATE: FOUND)
Sunday night, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said 16-year-old Jessica Shambley had returned home "safe and unharmed."
Orange County Sheriff's Office: Missing 16-Year-Old Found Safe
UPDATE: The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday morning Nicholas Woodrum had been located and is now safely back home safe. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office alerted the community of a missing teenager Wednesday morning, asking the public for help locating him. A release from the office said Nicholas Robert Woodrum, 16, was last seen […]
Orange County Sheriff's Office Searching for Missing Teenager
UPDATE: Shakiya Robinson has been located and is safe. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office put out a call for the public’s help in finding a missing teenager on Thursday. The office shared a release saying Shakiya Robinson, 16, of Winston-Salem has been missing since September 7. Last seen in Orange County, Shakiya last had contact […]
Orange County Sheriff's Office Finds Body of Missing Woman
After receiving a call about a missing woman and beginning a search, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office shared a tragic update on Sunday. The office updated its Facebook post asking for the community’s help searching for 79-year-old Annette McBroom, saying searchers located her body late Sunday evening. The original post by the sheriff’s office said […]
'Who Are We Targeting?': Unpacking and Examining Impacts of ICE's N.C. Operations
The Orange County community felt the impact of federal immigration officers’ presence. Weeks later, people are still unpacking their emotions.
Orange County Sheriff's Office Investigating Death at Nature Preserve
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the discovery of a deceased Durham man Friday morning. Investigators said in a release the body of Calvin Demond Smith-Taylor, 36, was discovered at the edge of a parking lot at the Brumley North Nature Preserve just before 7:30 a.m. Friday morning. The parking lot of the preserve […]
Orange County Sheriff's Office Arrests, Charges Alleged Construction Material Thieves
After sharing photos of suspects in a theft investigation, the Orange County Sheriff's Office arrested and charged them on Wednesday.
Orange County Sheriff's Office: Sex Offender Arrested, Charged Over Child Porn
An Orange County resident and sex offender faces several counts of sexual exploitation of a minor following an investigation by North Carolina law enforcement and Orange County Sheriff's Office.
›