Hayesville Man Arrested on 11 Counts of Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

Clay County Sheriff's Office

Press Release

On August 10, 2026, Clay County Investigator Steven Smith received a “CyberTip” from the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force regarding the suspected possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material. The CyberTip originated with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children after information was submitted by Cash App concerning cryptocurrency transactions associated with a profile identified as being linked to child sexual abuse material.

Investigator Smith along with Clay County Investigator Aly Daniel began an investigation and located the individual identified in the CyberTip. This was Thomas Alan Tarr, 26 years of age from Hayesville. During the investigation, Tarr voluntarily provided detectives with access to his cellular phone. While reviewing the device in Tarr’s presence and with his consent, Investigator Smith discovered a video depicting apparent child sexual abuse material.

The cellular device was immediately seized as evidence, and Investigator Smith subsequently obtained a search warrant authorizing a forensic examination of the device. On August 11, 2026, Investigator Smith, a Cellebrite certified operator and analyst, completed a full file system extraction of the device. Investigators Smith and Daniel then conducted an examination of the extracted data.

During the forensic examination, Investigators Smith and Daniel located a substantial amount of suspected child sexual abuse material stored on the device. They determined that material had been downloaded to the device on eleven separate occasions between December 1, 2025, and August 3, 2026. They also determined that a majority of the material had been accessed through the Telegram mobile application.

Following the investigation and consultation with the District Attorney’s Office, Investigator Smith presented the findings to a Clay County Magistrate. On August 12, 2026, the Clay County Magistrate found probable cause and issued a warrant for the arrest of Thomas Tarr on eleven counts of Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. At approximately 11:45 a.m. that same day, Investigators Smith and Daniel located Tarr at his place of employment and placed him under arrest without incident.

Tarr was transported to the Clay County Detention Center, where he was brought before Magistrate Dave West and received a $150,000 secured bond. His initial court appearance was scheduled for August 21, 2026. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to investigating crimes involving the exploitation of children and working alongside local, state, and federal partners to identify individuals involved in the possession, distribution, and production of child sexual abuse material.