MOORESVILLE, N.C. — A Mooresville Police officer has been arrested and charged with four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, according to the Mooresville Police Department.
The police department received criminal behavior allegations about Officer Matthew Beebe, 37, on Friday and immediately began an investigation, suspending Beebe pending the outcome.
Mooresville Police obtained search and arrest warrants on Tuesday and then on Wednesday arrested Beebe on four counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Inappropriate photos were found on his phone, police said, and Beebe was taken to the Iredell County jail and placed under a $60,000 secured bond.
Beebe posted bond and was released on Wednesday afternoon, according to jail records.
"What I can tell you is nobody is happy about this, obviously," MPD Chief Ron Campurciani said. "We take people from society, we do our best with what we think are gonna be the best people. Sometimes people disappoint you, and he certainly has in this case."
Additional charges are anticipated. The initial complaint was not what he was arrested for, and the police department is still investigating those allegations.
Beebe lives outside of Mooresville, so a special prosecutor has been requested due to the multijurisdictional nature of the case. Police said there is currently one known victim related to the investigation, but there could be others. The officer was familiar with the victim, but the victim was not a family member.
While Beebe was on paid administrative leave as of Friday, Mooresville Police confirmed that Beebe was sent notice of his termination on Wednesday. Beebe had spent 11 years as a police officer in Mooresville.
Contact Lexi Wilson at lwilson@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.
WCNC Charlotte is choosing to show the mugshot of the suspect in this case because police said there could be additional victims.