GREENSBORO – A Guilford County man is facing sexual exploitation charges following his arrest by the State Bureau of Investigation yesterday.  The arrest was the result of a joint investigation led by the SBI’s Computer Crimes Unit.  

The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office and High Point Police Department partnered with the SBI on the case.  These agencies work together as members of the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.  
 
Andy Lee Hill, 35, of High Point was arrested and charged with 10 felony counts of second degree sexual exploitation of a minor.    

Hill was booked into the Guilford County jail after being given a $150,000 secured bond by the magistrate.  Hill is scheduled to appear in court for these charges on November 22nd.  

The SBI, Guilford County Sheriff’s Office and High Point Police Department executed a search of Hill’s residence in March.  Forensic examinations performed after the search revealed Hill possessed both image and video files of child pornography.   

“Videos and photos of child pornography are illegally traded via the internet,” according to the State Bureau of Investigation’s Special Agent in Charge, Alan K. Flora, who oversees the NC ICAC Task Force.  “These files are typically not found by accident, and must be intentionally located.  NC ICAC Task Force officers routinely conduct online undercover operations to detect individuals trading the contraband material.”   

SAC Flora stressed that the possession and distribution of such files is illegal in all cases.  He said that, “Even if someone accidentally downloaded the contraband material (while seeking something else), it would be a felony to keep it and/or share it with others.  In order for this material to even exist, a child must be sexually assaulted.

There is no excuse for such a horrific act and thus the possession of child pornography cannot be tolerated.”   
Members of the public are encouraged to report information regarding possible child sexual exploitation to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.  Reports can be made 24hours a day, 7 days a week online at www.cybertipline.com.