Special agent sent sexually explicit photo to 11-year-old on Snapchat, NC cops say
A ex-police officer turned special agent for the state of North Carolina was arrested after deputies said he sent a lewd photo to a minor on social media, according to the sheriff’s office and media outlets.
Jeremy Charles Jenkins, 44, was charged with misdemeanor dissemination of harmful material to minors on Feb. 22, an arrest report filed with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office shows. Jenkins was a special agent with the state’s division of Alcohol Law Enforcement from Aug. 15, 2012 until he resigned on Dec. 20, 2019, special agent Erin E. Bean told McClatchy News.
“The circumstances surrounding his resignation, however, would be a personnel matter, and not public record,” Bean said.
ALE special agents have statewide jurisdiction and specialize in alcoholic beverage, controlled substance, tobacco, and gaming laws, according to the N.C. Department of Public Safety and a government job listing. They also “conduct major criminal investigations” and assist federal agencies investigating criminal enterprises and money laundering.
Prior to working for the ALE, Jenkins worked as an officer with the Weaverville Police Department from Aug. 8, 2010 until he resigned on Aug. 9, 2012, Police Chief Ron Davis told McClatchy News.
Weaverville is roughly 10 miles north of Asheville.
A warrant for Jenkins’ arrest was issued on Oct. 27, 2019, the arrest report shows. It’s not clear why he was not arrested until Feb. 22 and a representative from the sheriff’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to a warrant for his arrest cited by Skyline News, Jenkins “sent a photograph of his covered genitals in a discernibly turgid state which is harmful to the minor and knew the materials character or content.”
The picture was sent on Snapchat in October to an 11-year-old, WLOS reported.
Jenkins was taken into custody shortly before 8 a.m. on Saturday and has since posted bail, jail records show. His next court date is April 7.
Disseminating harmful material to minors is a Class 1 misdemeanor, according to state statute.
This story was originally published February 24, 2020 at 4:59 PM.
