Former Harnett County deputy charged with sex crimes involving children as young as 7

HARNETT COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- A man who was employed as a sheriff's deputy in Harnett County faces multiple criminal charges including child exploitation.

In October, the Harnett County Sheriff's Office was made aware of possible misconduct by an employee. The employee was identified by the sheriff's office as former patrol officer Johnathan Andrew Edwards.

According to warrants obtained by ABC11, Edwards made multiple underage girls ranging in age from 7 to 17 record themselves in a sexual act. The documents state that he destroyed the digital evidence in October, the same month the Harnett County Sheriff's Office said they were made aware of the allegations.

Monday, December 4, Edwards was charged with 10 counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of obstruction of justice. He was given a bond of $1 million but it was reduced to $500,000 during his first appearance Tuesday and he later bonded out of jail.

The sheriff's office terminated Edwards on November 30 for violations of policy.

Edwards was hired by the Harnett County Sheriff's Office in 2013.

The Harnett County Sheriff's Office said this is an ongoing investigation which may result in further charges.