Cherokee County Man Charged with Sexual Exploitation

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

Press Release

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Thomas Wright following an investigation into child sexual abuse material (CSAM) connected to a case originally reported in 2021.

On September 21, 2026, an individual met with detectives at the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office to inquire about the status of a case dating back to 2021. Following that meeting, detectives reviewed the original case, conducted additional follow-up, and initiated a renewed investigation.

The original investigation stemmed from a CyberTip submitted by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), which identified suspected child sexual abuse material associated with Wright that had been uploaded to the social media platform Tumblr.

As part of the renewed investigation, detectives conducted a forensic examination of Wright’s cellular phone that had been obtained during the original 2021 investigation. During the examination, detectives discovered numerous images containing suspected child sexual abuse material.

Based on the evidence uncovered, detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging Wright with Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Third-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.

Following the issuance of the arrest warrant, detectives executed a search warrant at Wright’s residence, where additional electronic devices were seized for further forensic examination.

Wright was taken into custody and is currently being held at the Cherokee County Detention Center.

The investigation remains active and ongoing, as detectives continue to examine evidence and determine whether additional criminal violations have occurred.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to investigating crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children and holding individuals accountable for offenses that endanger the safety and well-being of minors.

Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (828) 837-2589.

All individuals charged with a criminal offense are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.