MONROE, N.C. — A Monroe man and convicted sex offender has been arrested after a multi-state child exploitation investigation by the Union County Sheriff's Office.
Thomas Long was arrested late last week after an investigation, which began in early January, led USCO detectives to Utah, where law enforcement officials accused Long of soliciting sexually explicit online materials from a child in their jurisdiction.
In 2016, Long was convicted of multiple sex offenses and was required to register as a sex offender in Union County after he was released from prison.
Detectives conducted a search warrant and took several electronic devices from Long's residence, which are being examined. Union County officials say that evidence shows that Long was actively soliciting sexual material from children across the country, using multiple online identities.
Long was charged with several felonies, including sexual exploitation of a minor and solicitation of a child by computer.
Long is being held in the Union County Detention Center under a $2 million secured bond.
The Union County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone who may have information about this case to call (704)283-3789 or Union County Crime Stoppers at (704)283-5600.
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