Gastonia, N.C. - May 26, 2022 - Detectives from the Gastonia Police Department recently completed unrelated investigations into the possession of child pornography and have charged three people with multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
- In October of 2021, detectives were made aware of a suspect who was in possession of child pornography. During the investigation, detectives identified Andre Ramos, age 19, of Gastonia as the suspect. During a search warrant, investigators located multiple images of child pornography on Ramos’ electronic devices. Ramos was charged and arrested in early May.
- In January, GPD detectives were made aware that a suspect had recently uploaded files containing images of child sexual exploitation to a social media platform. During the investigation, detectives identified Ron Owens, age 37, of Gastonia, as the suspect. During a search warrant, investigators located several photos/videos of child pornography on Owens’ electronic devices. Owens was charged and arrested on May 23.
- On May 17, GPD officers responded to a home after a family member discovered images of child pornography on a computer. During the investigation, detectives determined that the computer belonged to 24-year-old Jacob Griffin, who recently moved to Gastonia from Florida. Investigators located several images depicting child pornography on Griffin’s computer. Griffin was charged and arrested on May 23.
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