WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. — A 27-year-old Wayne County man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of child sexual exploitation following an investigation prompted by federal authorities.

Carlos Fabian Arriaga Ortega was taken into custody on September 3, 2025, after the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at his residence. He faces three counts of Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and one count of Felony Possession of Schedule II controlled substances.

The investigation began after the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding suspected child sexual abuse material. Following the tip, investigators identified Arriaga Ortega and allegedly discovered electronic material depicting child sexual exploitation in his possession.

Homeland Security Investigations provided assistance in the case, working alongside local law enforcement to pursue the charges.

The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is a participating member of the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (NC ICAC), which is part of a national network of specialized law enforcement units dedicated to protecting minors from online predators and digital exploitation.

Arriaga Ortega, described as a white male, was also served with an unrelated Order for Arrest (OFA) during his detention. He is being held on a $101,000 secured bond.

The charges represent felony-level offenses under North Carolina law. Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor involves the possession of material depicting minors engaged in sexual activity.

The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal and local authorities to combat the distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material through coordinated cybercrime investigations.