Additional Sexual Exploitation Charges Filed Against Hickory Man

Jose Manuel Vega-Gonzalez, 48, of 2nd Avenue SE in Hickory, now faces five additional felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in the second and third degrees. He was initially arrested by Hickory police on July 31 on one count of the same charges. The latest charges were filed on August 1 at the Catawba County Detention Facility.

Vega-Gonzalez remains in jail, where he was initially given a $25,000 bond. He is now being held without bond. A District Court appearance on all charges is scheduled for Aug. 20 in Newton.