RAEFORD, N.C. (AP) — The former owner of the Haven-Friends for Life No Kill Shelter in Raeford who was charged last year in a child pornography case is facing additional charges.
The Hoke County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release 71-year-old Stephen Spear was charged Wednesday with 184 counts of second- and third-degree exploitation of a minor. Spear was already charged with 114 child pornography offenses.
Spear initially was charged in 2017 after detectives found graphic pictures on computers of children under 16 having sex with adults and with animals. The images were seized during an investigation into animal cruelty allegations at shelter.
In January 2016, the shelter was seized by the state. Spears and his wife were arrested, and nearly 700 animals were removed.
The sheriff’s office said bail for Spear is set at $1 million.
Back in 2009, Spear was charged with 18 counts of child pornography while he was a teacher at Fayetteville Tech. He was not required to register as a sex offender when he agreed to a plea deal.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This article was written with the help of the Associated Press
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