IFN Staff

An eastern Iredell County resident faces 10 felony child sexual exploitation charges following an investigation by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of William Leon Allen, 40, of Red Oak Drive, Statesville, in a news release.

The Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation on June 2 after received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the possible downloading and possession of child sexual abuse material by a person in Iredell County, Campbell said.

This investigation was assigned to ICSO Special Victims Unit Detective E. Lane, who identified Allen as a suspect in the case, according to the news release.

As part of the investigation, Detective Lane executed search warrants on social media apps and websites and discovered evidence that Allen had sent and received photographs and videos of child sexual abuse material utilizing social media, the sheriff said.

As a result of evidence gathered during the investigation, Detective Lane obtained arrest warrants charging Allen with 10 counts of felony second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

On Friday, July 18, ICSO personnel executed a search warrant at Allen’s residence. Detectives seized evidence from the home, including electronic devices that could possibly be used to store child sexual abuse material, according to the news release.

Allen was taken into custody and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was issued a $100,000 secured bond by Magistrate Nethken.

Detectives are continuing to investigate this case, and additional charges may be filed.