FROM STAFF REPORTS

A northern Iredell County resident faces 10 felony charges related to the possession of child pornography.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Michael Ray Hawkins, 65, in a news release Tuesday.

The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office began investigation in March after receiving a CyberTip through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children about an individual who was possibly in possession of child pornography.

The investigation was assigned to Detective Sgt. Jason Lowrance of the ICSO Special Victim’s Unit. After reviewing and verifying the information from the tip, he interviewed witnesses and obtained several search warrants to assist in the investigation.

As a result, of the investigation, Hawkins, who live on Fairgate Drive, was arrested on Friday, June 12. He was charged with 10 counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

Hawkins appeared before Magistrate Sanders, who issued a $250,000 secure bond on these charges.