The Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Carrboro man Monday and has charged him with multiple counts of sexual exploitation.

42-year-old Michael Robert Westendorf faces six felony warrants for second-degree and four counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Second-degree exploitation includes duplicating material containing a visual representation of a minor engaged in sexual activity, and third-degree involves possessing such material.

A release from the sheriff’s office published Tuesday said an investigation of Westendorf began after receiving a tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program in January of this year. ICAC task force members and local law enforcement worked together on the investigation before OCAS Sergeant Keith Goodwin arrested Westendorf Monday.

The local magistrate has ordered Westendorf to be held in the Orange County Detention Center without bond. A judge will determine his bond Tuesday afternoon.

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 image via Orange County Sheriff’s Office

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