An Oroville teen is back in Butte County custody after investigators say a cybertip led them across state lines to San Antonio, where they arrested him on suspicion of child exploitation crimes. The case began with allegations that he possessed child sexual abuse material and ended, at least for now, with a search warrant at a Nelson Avenue home that officers described as unsafe for young children.
Police identified the suspect as 19-year-old Tyberius Kilpatrick. Investigators say he was taken into custody in Texas and later booked in Butte County on multiple charges tied to possessing and sending obscene material involving minors. The investigation remains active as detectives continue to comb through seized electronic devices and other evidence.
According to FOX40, the probe started when the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children filed a 2025 CyberTipline report involving an Oroville resident. That tip led detectives to a Nelson Avenue residence, where they served a warrant and say they found electronic devices containing lewd images of minors. FOX40 reports that Oroville Police detectives then traveled to San Antonio, located Kilpatrick and took him into custody before escorting him back to Butte County for booking.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children describes its CyberTipline as the nation’s central reporting system for suspected online child sexual exploitation. Analysts there review reports from technology companies and the public, then forward actionable leads to law enforcement. They also help identify potential locations and devices, which can set the stage for search warrants and arrests that cross city, county and even state lines.
According to FOX40, two other adults tied to the Nelson Avenue home, 43-year-old Kaytie Allen and 57-year-old Michael Kilpatrick, were arrested and booked into the Butte County Jail on felony child abuse charges. Butte County’s Children’s Services Division was alerted to the reported living conditions, and, consistent with county policy, steps were taken to evaluate child safety and provide services when a residence is determined to be uninhabitable for young children. The Butte County Children’s Services Division handles immediate response and ongoing case management in these situations while law enforcement continues its work.
Legal Implications
Federal law criminalizes the production, receipt, distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material, and some offenses carry mandatory minimum prison sentences. The Department of Justice’s citizen’s guide notes that convictions under statutes such as 18 U.S.C. 2251, 2252 and 2252A can bring lengthy prison terms and may require sex offender registration and asset forfeiture. More details are available from the Department of Justice.
What’s Next
Detectives say the case is still unfolding as prosecutors review the evidence and weigh formal charges, while the courts will ultimately decide bail and future hearings. Anyone with information is urged to contact Oroville Police or Butte County Children’s Services. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children accepts reports of suspected online exploitation around the clock through its CyberTipline.
