Arkansas man used TikTok to exploit 13-year-old in North Carolina, sheriff says
An Arkansas man is accused of using TikTok to lure a 13-year-old girl into recording sex acts from her home in North Carolina, according to investigators.
Read more Large brawl at car dealership involved the employees vs. customers, NC police say
Tyler Paul Hutcheson has been extradited to North Carolina, and is charged with felony first degree sexual exploitation of a minor, felony third degree sexual exploitation of a minor, and indecent liberties with a minor, according to court records.
“The Craven County Sheriff’s Office received a report involving sexual exploitation of a child involving a person the child met on TikTok. An investigation … identified Tyler Paul Hutcheson, 23, of Harrison, Arkansas as the perpetrator,” the sheriff’s office said in a Sept. 16 news release.
Court documents report Hutcheson coerced the girl into recording sex acts, and those videos were in his possession.
TikTok is a popular social media platform used to create, share and broadcast short videos, according to Investopedia.
Read more Latest SC high football media poll: New No. 1 in 4A after week of upsets
“The sheriff’s office encourages parents to maintain open communication with their children about the risks associated with social media and online gaming,” the sheriff’s office said.
“Platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and multiplayer games can expose kids to bad strangers, having proactive conversations is essential for preventing dangerous encounters with strangers.”
Hutcheson is also wanted in Indiana for two counts of child molesting, two counts of rape, and two counts of child exploitation, the sheriff’s office said.
Read more This new play space coming to the Charlotte area will feature a cafe and drop-off
Craven County is about a 116-mile drive southeast from downtown Raleigh.
