Johnston County Man Faces New Child Exploitation Charges

JOHNSTON COUNTY — A Johnston County man previously arrested during a multi-agency online child predator sting is now facing 20 additional felony charges following a forensic analysis of electronic devices seized from his home, authorities confirmed this week.

Austin Barrett Crews, 37, of Driver Road, Middlesex (formerly of Clayton), was initially arrested on July 31 after investigators say he believed he was communicating with the parent of an 8-year-old girl and was attempting to solicit the child during an undercover operation.

The investigation began when the Owatonna Police Department in Minnesota contacted the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office with a tip about suspicious online communications. According to authorities, Crews initiated contact with an undercover officer posing as the parent of an 8-year-old and attempted to arrange a meeting involving the fictitious child.

As the case developed, the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force provided Johnston County detectives with additional unrelated tips, prompting a broader investigation.

On July 31, deputies executed a search warrant at Crews’ residence. Investigators seized multiple electronic storage and cellular devices, along with approximately two pounds of suspected marijuana and other evidence related to the alleged crimes. At the time of the search, two small children and an adult female were living at the home.

Crews was not present during the search but was later arrested at his workplace in Wake County. During the arrest, deputies reportedly found two grams of suspected methamphetamine in his possession.

Following his arrest, Crews was initially charged with five counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of soliciting a child by computer, maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a controlled substance.

On September 22, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office announced that a forensic analysis conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) uncovered additional evidence of child sexual exploitation on devices seized from Crews’ home. As a result, 20 new counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor have been filed against him, bringing the total number of child exploitation-related charges to 25.

Crews remains in custody at the Johnston County Detention Center. His bond was increased from $340,000 to $1,340,000 following the additional charges.

The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, Wake County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Owatonna Police Department in Minnesota.