Brunswick County man arrested after undercover child exploitation investigation

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Brunswick County man has been charged with a felony after investigators say he attempted to arrange sexual contact with someone he believed was a 15-year-old girl who was actually an undercover detective.

According to the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, Xavier Lee Espinoza, 25, was arrested on July 27 and charged with felony indecent liberties with a child.

Court documents allege the investigation stemmed from communications on or about July 21, 2026. Authorities say Espinoza believed he was communicating with a 15-year-old girl identified as “Olivia Grace.” However, investigators say the account was operated by a Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office detective working in an undercover capacity.

The arrest warrant alleges Espinoza attempted to take indecent liberties with a person he believed to be under the age of 16 for the purpose of sexual gratification. Investigators said Espinoza was over the age of 16 and more than five years older than the age he believed the girl to be.

Espinoza was booked into the Brunswick County Detention Center on July 27.

No additional details about the investigation have been released.