52-year-old Mark James Gordon of Sol Mull Street in Morganton has been arrested by Burke County Sheriff’s Officers on five felony counts of third-degree exploitation of a minor.

Events leading to Gordon’s arrest began in January of last year when Detectives were made aware of a cyber-tip from the International Crimes Against Children Taskforce. Detectives began an extensive investigation, with assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations.

In February 2022, the Sheriff’s Office and the S.B.I. participated in a computer crimes operation. At the conclusion of the investigation, a grand jury packet was submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for review. On February 16 of this year, a Bill of Indictment was issued for Mark James Gordon.

Gordon was taken into custody without incident on February 28. He was released under a $10,000 secured bond. Gordon’s first appearance in court was scheduled yesterday (March 27). He will next appear in Superior Court on June 26.