Troutman man charged with multiple counts of sexual exploitation

Paul Howard Beha, 70, of Sierra Woods Drive in Troutman, was arrested by Iredell County Sheriff’s officers on 10 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

In February 2024, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office received a CyberTip containing several files containing suspected child sexual abuse material. The investigation was assigned to the Special Victim’s Unit. A search warrant was obtained for the social media account identified in the CyberTip as MediaLab/Kik to obtain additional information.

When the search warrant results came back recently, the data obtained revealed additional files containing child sexual abuse material and the account holder’s information. Last Thursday (June 20), Special Victims Unit investigators and other officers executed a search warrant at the suspect’s home on Sierra Woods Drive, south of Troutman.

During the search, additional electronic devices and computer hardware were discovered and seized by investigators. Beha was arrested at his residence. He was taken to the Iredell County Detention Center on $50,000 bail. Beha was not listed as an inmate as of today (June 26). A District Court appearance is scheduled for September 17.

The investigation is ongoing and further charges may be filed.