Salisbury man faces charges for child pornography-related offenses after tip to law enforcement

Published 8:46 pm Friday, January 17, 2020

SALISBURY — A Salisbury man remains in the Rowan County jail after a tip led authorities to arrest him on child pornography-related charges.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Joshua Wayne Sheppard, 34, of the 100 block of Tammy Road, with 11 counts of felony third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

A tip from the public about Sheppard having child pornography led to the charges, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said. Investigators obtained a search warrant for Sheppard’s residence and seized electronic equipment.

He was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $75,000 secured bond. He also has a $5,000 secured bond for a probation violation.

Sheppard previously has been convicted of attempted common law robbery, assault on a female, breaking and entering, misdemeanor possession of a Schedule VI substance and larceny.