Hickory Man Charged After Child-Exploitation Investigation

A Hickory resident has been charged with suspected online child exploitation. The investigation began when the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division (CID) received a cyber-tip reporting possible illegal activity involving minors. An investigation led to the identification and arrest of Dale Allen Parker, 59, of Hickory.

Parker has been charged with ten (10) counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. He is currently held in the Catawba County Detention Facility under a $100,000 secured bond. Parker has a court appearance scheduled for August 11, 2025.

Photo: Catawba County Sheriff’s Office