Columbus County Sheriff’s Office and State Bureau of Investigation Target Online Crimes Against Children
NAKINA — A joint investigation between the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the arrest of a Nakina man on multiple felony charges involving the sexual exploitation of minors.
In the early morning hours of February 25, detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, working alongside agents from the SBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit, executed a search warrant at a residence on C. Reaves Lane.
During the operation, investigators took Jeremy James Prashaw into custody without incident. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Prashaw is charged with ten counts of felony second‑degree sexual exploitation of a minor as well as disclosing private images as an adult. He is being held at the Columbus County Detention Center under no bond.
Officials say the case underscores the importance of collaboration between local and state agencies in identifying and stopping individuals who exploit children online.
Sheriff Rogers: “Protecting our children is one of our highest priorities.”
Sheriff Bill Rogers said the investigation highlights the dangers children face in digital spaces and the need for parents to stay engaged with their children’s online activity.
“Protecting our children from online predators is one of our highest priorities,” Rogers said. “Cases like this serve as an important reminder that the internet can present very real dangers, and we encourage parents and guardians to stay actively involved in monitoring their children’s online activity and social media use.”
Information Sought
The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information related to this case or similar incidents to contact investigators at 910‑642‑6551 or submit an anonymous tip at Submit-A-Tip
All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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