Catawba County, NC — Authorities have made a significant arrest in a suspected online child exploitation case following a cyber tip that alerted law enforcement to possible illegal activity involving minors. The investigation, conducted by the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division (CID), culminated in the identification and arrest of Dale Allen Parker, 59, a resident of Hickory, North Carolina.
Parker has been formally charged with ten counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. He is currently being held at the Catawba County Detention Facility under a secured bond of $100,000. Parker’s initial court appearance is scheduled for August 11, 2025.
Sheriff Don Brown issued a strong statement on the arrest:
“We will continue to identify and arrest individuals who use the internet to target children. There is no place for these crimes in our communities.”
This case highlights the critical role that community vigilance and cyber tip reporting play in protecting children from exploitation. The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding illegal internet activity, particularly involving minors, to come forward.
Tips can be submitted confidentially by:
- Calling the tipline at 828-466-ATIP (2847)
- Visiting the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office website
- Using the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office mobile app
Community cooperation remains essential to safeguarding vulnerable populations from online predators, and the Sheriff’s Office reiterates its unwavering commitment to pursuing justice in these cases.
For further information, please contact:
Major Aaron Turk
Public Information Officer
Catawba County Sheriff’s Office
Email: aturk@catawbacountync.gov
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