Cyber tip leads to charges of child sex crimes

A 40-year-old Robbins man is being held at the Moore County Detention Center under a $1 million secured bond on charges of felony second- and third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

The Moore County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the NCSBI, FBI and other members of the NC Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, searched a home in the 2800 block of Plank Road in Robbins and arrested Ryan Olufs on Wednesday for the alleged crimes that allegedly occurred on Nov. 22, 2024, according to Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields in a press release and information from the Moore County Detention Center.

The joint investigation between the Sheriff’s Office and the NCSBI’s Computer Crimes Unit was initiated following a cyber tip submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. 

According to a warrant regarding the third-degree charge, “the defendant unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did possess material containing a visual representation of a minor, unknown prepubescent female approximately 7-10 years old, engaging in sexual activity.”

According to a warrant regarding the second-degree charge, “the defendant unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did duplicate material containing a visual representation of a minor, an unknown prepubescent female approximately 7-10 years old, engaged in sexual activity.”

Court documents list Olufs’ home address as the same address as Misty Morning Ranch in Robbins. According to Southern Pines Academy’s website, Olufs helps his wife run the childcare center.

Fields said the investigation remains active, and additional charges are anticipated as the case continues to develop.

“The Moore County Sheriff’s Office remains a committed member of the NCICAC Task Force, which works diligently to combat online child exploitation and abuse,” said Fields.

Photo: Ryan Olufs is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law—photo via Moore County Detention Center.

To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news and weekly e-newsletter, please click here.