Asheville Man Arrested in Child Exploitation Investigation

Homeland Security, Asheville Police Collaborate on Federal Indictment

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A 49-year-old North Carolina man named Robert Benjamin Thorpe was arrested and charged after an investigation into child exploitation, authorities confirmed. The investigation began in July 2025 after Asheville Police Department Computer Crimes Detectives received cyber tips, leading to a joint investigation with Homeland Security Investigations' Internet Crimes Against Children unit.

Why it matters

Child exploitation cases are a serious concern for law enforcement and communities, as they involve the abuse and exploitation of vulnerable minors. This arrest highlights the collaborative efforts between local and federal agencies to investigate and prosecute these types of crimes.

The details

With assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Asheville police detectives executed a search warrant on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Thorpe's residence in North Asheville. Police said he was taken into custody by HSI. The joint investigation led Homeland Security Investigations in Jacksonville, Florida, to secure a federal indictment alleging violations involving child sexual abuse material and the solicitation of a minor.

  • The investigation began in July 2025 after APD Computer Crimes Detectives received cyber tips.
  • On February 10, 2026, police executed a search warrant and Thorpe was taken into custody by HSI.

The players

Robert Benjamin Thorpe

A 49-year-old North Carolina man who was arrested and charged after an investigation into child exploitation.

Asheville Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that collaborated with Homeland Security Investigations on the investigation.

Homeland Security Investigations

The federal agency that collaborated with the Asheville Police Department and secured a federal indictment against Thorpe.

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What’s next

Additional charges may follow as detectives continue the investigation.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement at the local and federal level to investigate and prosecute crimes involving the exploitation of minors, underscoring the importance of community vigilance and reporting suspected abuse.