Moore County man arrested in child exploitation investigation

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A Robbins man is facing serious charges following a joint child exploitation investigation led by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s Computer Crimes Unit.

Authorities arrested 40-year-old Ryan Michael Olufs on May 7, 2025, after executing a search warrant at a residence in the 2800 block of Plank Road in Robbins. The operation was supported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other members of the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children (NCICAC) Task Force.

The investigation was launched following a Cyber Tip submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which triggered the multi-agency probe.

Olufs has been charged with one count of felony second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of felony third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. He is currently being held at the Moore County Detention Center under a $1 million secured bond.

His first court appearance is scheduled for May 14 in Moore County District Court.

Officials say the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming.

Sheriff Ronnie Fields emphasized the department’s ongoing commitment to combating online child exploitation through its active role in the NCICAC Task Force.

“This case highlights the importance of collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies in protecting our most vulnerable,” Fields said.

Information and photo used in this article were contributed by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Patrick Priest
Patrick Priest
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.
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