ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A 57-year-old man was arrested following an investigation by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office into the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
Fred Thomas Tyner III was charged with seven counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a child and two counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a child.
According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation began in October 2026 after detectives obtained information indicating Tyner had been sending and receiving child sexual abuse material over the previous two months.
On Oct. 6, detectives executed a search warrant for electronic devices belonging to Tyner as part of the investigation.
Investigators said evidence indicated Tyner had purchased child sexual abuse images and videos online and had distributed some of the material to others.
Tyner was taken into custody and placed in the Rowan County Detention Center without bond. His initial court appearance was scheduled for Oct. 9.
The investigation remained ongoing as detectives worked to identify others involved in distributing the material and determine the identities of children depicted in the images and videos.
Anyone with information related to the investigation was encouraged to contact the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Rowan County Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245 or online at www.rowancrimestoppers.org.
Tyner is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Mugshot photo provided by Rowan County Mugshots
