A recent case has emerged involving Austin Tyler Moore, a former school resource officer at North Rowan Elementary School, who was arrested and charged with possessing child sexual abuse material. According to WCNC, the 35-year-old from Cleveland was apprehended following an investigation prompted by a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that indicated a Rowan County resident was involved with child sexual abuse material.
The investigation began on October 29, and Moore was subsequently removed from his position the same day once the Spencer Police Department and the Rowan-Salisbury School System were notified. Moore’s employment was terminated on November 12 after the internal investigation conducted by the Town of Spencer, which stated, "The Town of Spencer expects all staff to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with organizational values and policies at all times, including being lawful citizens," as obtained by Salisbury Post. The sheriff’s office has not found any evidence connecting the victims in the material to students from North Rowan Elementary.
Upon searching Moore's office, residence, and electronic devices with a warrant, detectives uncovered child sexual abuse material depicting victims around 10 years old. The evidence gathered led to Moore facing four counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Currently, he is being held at Rowan County Detention Center with a secured bond of $100,000, as reported by QC News. The role of school resource officer at North Rowan Elementary has since been assigned to Corporal A. Niblock, who had previous experience as an SRO at North Rowan High School.
Michelle Shue, Rowan-Salisbury Schools Director of Marketing and Communications, released a statement saying, "Rowan-Salisbury Schools was made aware of an investigation involving a Spencer Police Officer who was assigned as a school resource officer at North Rowan Elementary. Upon notification of the investigation, the officer was removed from his assignment at the school by police department leadership," as mentioned on QC News. The statement also confirmed that the investigation found no evidence of any student at North Rowan Elementary School or any other Rowan-Salisbury School System school being victimized, as noted by WCNC. While Spencer Police are not directly involved in the investigation, they are cooperating with the Sheriff’s Office throughout the process.
