A 31-year-old High Point man is facing more than 60 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor after detectives seized dozens of electronic devices from his home following his arrest on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Spencer A. Kearns was charged with 59 counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, four counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, and two counts of disseminating harmful material, according to detectives, and he's being held in jail with no bond.
The case traces back to June 2026, when a High Point Police Department detective assigned to the Triad ICAC Task Force was assigned reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline, according to an official statement from the City of High Point. That tip eventually led to Kearns' arrest; detectives then executed a search warrant at his residence. The case is now logged as Report Number 2026-16327. As WXII 12 News reported, detectives seized dozens of electronic devices from the home as part of the investigation.
Investigators believe Kearns may have contacted additional victims on Snapchat, the station's report indicates, though that part of the probe remains open. High Point police are asking anyone with relevant information to contact detectives at 336-887-7811 or Crime Stoppers at 336-889-4000.
A Task Force Built for This Moment
Kearns' arrest is the latest case handled by the Triad ICAC Task Force, a partnership formally launched in February 2026 among the High Point Police Department, the Greensboro Police Department, and the FBI to investigate internet crimes against children, per WFMY News 2. The task force is headquartered at the High Point Police Department, and Hoodline previously reported on its creation in response to a regional surge in cyber tips.
This isn't the task force's first high-count case this year. In May 2026, the same unit charged another 60-year-old High Point man with more than 50 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation after an NCMEC tip and subsequent device seizures, according to the City of High Point. That suspect, like Kearns, was also held without bond at the Guilford County Jail.
Why Reports Keep Climbing
The caseload reflects a broader trend. Data from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation reported in June 2026 showed that reports of online child sexual exploitation in the state surged by 1,115% between 2019 and 2026, with law enforcement agencies across North Carolina reporting they are struggling to manage the escalating caseload, according to WRAL. Nationally, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported that its CyberTipline logged over 21 million total reports in 2025, including more than 1.4 million reports of online enticement — a 158% increase over 2024.
What Kearns Faces in Court
North Carolina General Statutes § 14-190.16 addresses first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Mistake of age is explicitly prohibited as a legal defense under the statute. Second-degree sexual exploitation under § 14-190.17 covers the distribution, transport, or receipt of explicit images depicting minors and is classified as a Class E felony.
A conviction on any degree of sexual exploitation charge carries mandatory inclusion on North Carolina's sex offender registry for a minimum of 30 years to life, per Dement Askew, with no exception avoiding registration for any degree of the offense. North Carolina law also covers visual depictions created or modified to depict an identifiable minor.
Kearns is being held without bond. It remains unknown whether forensic analysis of the seized devices will lead to federal charges or identify additional victims.
