The Orange County Sheriff’s Office announced charges against a Carrboro resident for the sexual exploitation of a minor Wednesday afternoon.

An alert from the office said investigators charged 45-year-old Joseph Mejer with ten counts of second-degree sexual exploitation. The crime is a Class E felony, and stems from the sharing of materials that contain visuals of a minor engaged in sexual activity.

According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation began after receiving an Internet Crimes Against Children tip in January. Sheriff’s office investigators and Special Agent Ray Oliver of the Computer Crimes Unit at the state Bureau of Investigation served a search warrant at Mejer’s residence Wednesday morning based on the case built out by ICAC task force members and law enforcement.

The magistrate placed Mejer under a $5,000 secured bond at the Orange County Detention Center. His first court appearance on the charges is set for 2 p.m. on Thursday.

Wednesday’s release said more charges against Mejer are possible, and anyone who may have information on his activity is encouraged to get in touch with the sheriff’s office. Its lead investigator is P. Gilchrist, who can be reached at 919-245-2928.

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
‹
'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: 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.
Orange, Chatham Sheriffs Charge Chapel Hill Men With Online Child Exploitation
Orange County investigators charged 26-year-old Trefor Studenberg in a months-long case with the Internet Crimes Against Children task force.
Orange County Sheriff's Office Arrests Hillsborough Man on Sexual Exploitation Charges
A Hillsborough man faces a litany of sexual exploitation charges after his arrest on Wednesday, the Orange County Sheriff's Office announced.
Driver Accidentally Shoots Self During Car Chase in Orange County
Members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office are charging a Mebane man with two felonies after he attempted to elude police in Hillsborough on Wednesday and accidentally shot himself in the process. A release from the sheriff’s office Thursday said authorities attempted to stop Kyreh Jasan Lloyd, 28, for reckless driving on old NC Highway […]
Medicine Drop to be Hosted by Local Law Enforcement in Carrboro
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Carrboro Police Department are partnering with Safekids Orange County to hold a prescription drug take-back event this weekend. On Saturday, local law enforcement officers will be set up in the parking of the North Greensboro Street Harris Teeter store in Carrboro from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to host the […]
Orange County Law Enforcement Shares Video Stating Commitment to Communities
As unrest and demands for changes to racial injustices continue locally and nationally, the law enforcement agencies in Orange County have been sending messages to their communities about how they hope to address systemic racism and racial injustice by police. The agencies released a joint video statement on Friday with the leaders of the Orange […]
OSCO: Chapel Hill Man, Registered Sex Offender Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges
Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Chapel Hill resident and registered sex offender on multiple charges of child exploitation on Monday. A release from the office on Tuesday said authorities arrested Larry Dwayne Hougom, 49, of New Hope Church Road, Chapel Hill, on 21 counts of third degree sexual exploitation of a minor. It said additional […]
Student's Threat on Social Media Leads to Arrest of Carrboro High Father
Carrboro Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s Office collaborated to investigate a threat of violence to Carrboro High School on Thursday morning, leading to the arrest of a student’s father and potential charges for a different student. CHCCS received a tip on their 24-hour tip hotline from a student about seeing a post on Snapchat […]
Thanksgiving Holiday to Affect Local Government Services in Orange County (2025)
Thanksgiving will fall on Thursday, November 27 this year, and the holiday will affect several local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s a rundown of what residents can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 are both town holidays. Residential trash collection will not be affected. However, there […]
›