Newport man charged in child abuse investigation

A Newport man is facing multiple charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor following an undercover sting operation in Carteret County.

Leonard Eugene Mathiews, 57, was arrested on Monday, September 16, following an undercover investigation into Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC).

Officials with the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office say evidence and tools used to facilitate the crimes were seized during the arrest.

According to officials, Mathiews is charged with six counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in connection with possessing and distributing child pornography.

Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck thanks the Pine Knoll Shores Police Department for their assistance in arresting Mathiews.

Mathiews is currently being held in the Carteret County Detention Center on a $75,000 bond. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance later this week, according to a news release.