Pender man facing multiple counts of second-degree exploitation of minors

One Burgaw man is facing multiple counts of second-degree exploitation of minors.

Richard Peacock, 39, was arrested on Thursday, according to a Facebook post from the Pender County Sheriff's Office. Peacock faces 20 counts of second-degree exploitation of minors related to online internet activities.

A CyberTip reported by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation led to the charges, according to the post.

Peacock also faces charges of simple possession of a schedule II-controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia (not marijuana), according to the Pender County Sheriff's Office inmate search. He is currently being held in the Pender County Jail under a $500,000 secured bond.

Anyone with additional information regarding Peacock is asked to contact detectives with the Pender County Sheriff's Office at 910-259-1437 or 910-259-1515.