Hampstead man facing numerous child exploitation charges

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children helped the Pender County Sheriff’s Office find, arrest and charge a Hampstead man with crimes involving children.

According to the Pender County Sheriff’s Office, detectives with the Special Victims Unit began an investigation after a referral from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children was made to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

That information and investigation led to the arrest of 72-year-old Robert Benjamin Wright, Sr. on Wednesday.

He is charged with 17 counts of felony Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.

The Pender County Sheriff’s Office says this investigation continues and more charges are expected. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective-Sergeant Steve Clinard at (910) 259-1437 or (910) 259-1212.