By Catharin Shepard •
Staff writer •
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested a man wanted in Hoke County on hundreds of charges of alleged sexual crimes involving children.
FBI agents arrested Joshuah Taylor Bradshaw, 30, of the 1000 block of Fairfield Circle in Raeford on 332 charges related to child sex crimes.
The alleged crimes involve both child pornography conducted online, and some child victims who live in Hoke County, according to Hoke County Sheriff Dr. Hubert Peterkin. The sheriff’s office reportedly identified 133 victims, some male and some female, in the case.
The sheriff’s office first got word of the alleged crimes through a report to law enforcement August 7 about an alleged juvenile sexual assault.
“Someone hinted that something was wrong,” Peterkin said.
After conducting an investigation, authorities took out 156 warrants for Bradshaw’s arrest. Bradshaw was charged in total with 12 counts of statutory sexual offense with a child by an adult, 12 counts of taking indecent liberties with children, 12 counts of crimes against nature, 12 counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, 144 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and 144 counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
According to the North Carolina State General Statutes 14-190.16, 14-190.17 and 14-190.17A, first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor generally involves production of child pornography, while second-degree involves copying or distributing child pornography and third degree involves possession of child pornography. Child pornography is also considered a federal crime.
The offenses allegedly took place on the 1000 block of Fairfield Circle between February and August 2020, according to investigators.
When authorities sought Bradshaw’s arrest, he fled the state, officials alleged. The sheriff’s office worked with the FBI on the case to locate Bradshaw. FBI agents found Bradshaw in Etta, Mississippi and took him into custody. Local law enforcement extradited the suspect to Hoke County this week.
Bradshaw was taken before a magistrate and received a $20 million secured bond. His first court appearance on the charges took place Monday.
Further investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending in the case, authorities said.
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