Morganton Man Charged With Child-Sexual Exploitation

33-year-old Rudolph Conradie of First Street in Morganton was arrested Wednesday, December 4 by Morganton Public Safety Officers. He’s charged with five felony counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and one felony count of possession of a stolen firearm.

On November 12, the Morganton Officers received a report regarding child pornography possibly being at a Morganton address. During the investigation detectives went to the address of Rudolph Conradie on First Street. Investigators developed probable cause to believe that Conradie possessed explicit images and videos of juveniles.

Officers served a search warrant for Conradie’s residence and seized several electronic devices. During the search, a stolen handgun was found at the residence. Conradie was charged with possession of a stolen firearm and placed in the Burke County Jail under a $7500 bond.

An additional search warrant was executed on a cell phone possessed by Conradie. It was processed by the State Bureau of Investigation and explicit sexual images of juveniles were reportedly found on the phone. On Wednesday the sexual exploitation counts were filed. Conradie’s bond was increased to $107,500 secured. He was scheduled to appear in District Court today (December 5).

Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY