Earlier today, Union County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested 48-year-old Jamie Belk of Waxhaw, NC as part of an extensive Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation. The investigation leading up to this arrest began when UCSO detectives received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children pertaining to the possession and downloading of images flagged as child pornography. Detectives worked diligently following up on all active leads and eventually learned that Belk was a Maintenance Technician for Union County. Based on additional evidence gathered throughout the investigation including forensic examinations of Belk’s electronic device, detectives arrested Belk and he was charged with one count of Felony Third Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and one count of Felony Secretly Peeping. 

Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey adds “Our detectives were able to effectively utilize this cyber tip to identify and ultimately arrest a suspect in this case. I am proud of the work that was done during this investigation and this agency will continue to aggressively investigate and arrest those in our community seeking to exploit our children”. 

Union County Manager Mark Watson adds “We have taken immediate action to suspend Jamie Belk's employment with Union County without pay while these serious allegations are investigated. I am fully committed to supporting the Sheriff's Office with the ongoing investigation. As public servants, our role is not only to serve Union County residents, but uphold the values of this community. We hold our employees to the highest of standards and will continue to do so.” 

Belk is currently being processed into the Union County Jail and his conditions of release have not been set at this time. This investigation is ongoing at this time and anyone with information pertaining to this case should contact the UCSO at (704)283-3789. 

Point of contact for this press release is Lt. James Maye (704)506-6843