UNION COUNTY, N.C. – Deputies say they caught a dangerous sexual predator and placed him in the Union County Detention Center under a $2M bond in connection with child sexual exploitation offenses.
During the week of January 13th, convicted sex offender Thomas Long, of Monroe, was arrested as part of an ongoing, multi-state child exploitation investigation, according to a news release.
Long was convicted of multiple hands-on sexual offenses in 2016 and was required to register as a sex offender in Union County upon his release from prison.
The current investigation that led to Long’s most recent arrest began early January 2024, when UCSO detectives began working with law enforcement officials out of Utah who reported that Long was allegedly soliciting sexually explicit material from an underage child in their jurisdiction, deputies say.
UCSO officials conducted a search warrant at Long’s Union County residence earlier this month resulting in his arrest. According to a news release, UCSO personnel seized numerous electric devices used during the online exploitation offenses.
Digital Forensics experts say they will examine the seized devices to extract additional evidence. According to a news release, based on the evidence gathered, detectives have learned that Long was actively soliciting sexually explicit material from numerous underage children across the united states prior to his arrest.
Long was reportedly using multiple online identifiers that were not disclosed as part of his requirements to register as a sex offender, detectives say.
Long has been charged with numerous felony offenses including disclosure of private images, second degree sexual exploitation of a minor, failure to register as a sex offender, failure to report online identifiers, and solicitation of a child by computer.
This investigation is ongoing and additional criminal charges are likely.
Sheriff Eddie Cathey adds “The defendant in this case has proven by his actions that he is an extreme danger to the public. I am thankful that our investigative team could work with Utah officials to build a case leading to his arrest. From the initial investigation to the ongoing examinations of the devices seized, the results of this case are just another example of the comprehensive law enforcement services provided by the professional men and women of this office”.
Anyone with information pertaining to this case is asked to call the Union County Sheriff’s Office at (704)283-3789 or Union County Crime Stoppers at (704)283-5600.
