A Foxfire man faces felony charges following an undercover investigation involving a minor, according to the Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Ronnie Fields said investigators assigned to the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began the investigation after receiving information from an out-of-state law enforcement agency about possible criminal activity involving a minor in the Jackson Springs area.
On Thursday, Oct. 1, forensic specialists executed a search warrant at the residence of 21-year-old Paulino Jardiel Delgado Vargas in the Foxfire area of Moore County.
Vargas was arrested and charged with two counts of felony indecent liberties with a child.
According to the sheriff’s office, Vargas was also found in possession of a stolen firearm at the time of his arrest. He was additionally charged with felony possession of a stolen firearm.
Vargas was confined to the Moore County Detention Center without bond on the indecent liberties charges. He received a $5,500 secured bond on the stolen firearm charge.
He is scheduled to appear in Moore County District Court on Oct. 21.
The investigation was conducted by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office as part of its participation in the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Vargas is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
A Moore County native who has spent more than 20 years telling stories across North Carolina and beyond. He’s worked with CNN, WRAL, and CBS 17, and now serves as a Video Journalist for ABC11. Patrick has a passion for breaking news and has earned multiple awards for his coverage. He’s also a certified NWS SKYWARN Storm Spotter and was among the first news videographers in the state to become an FAA-certified drone pilot.
