BURNSVILLE, N.C. — A 67-year-old Spruce Pine man was arrested Thursday morning in a joint operation involving local and federal law enforcement on child exploitation charges, authorities said.
Paul David Dover was taken into custody outside a McDonald’s in Burnsville by the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security, and the U.S. Marshals.
Dover was placed into federal custody and is expected to face charges related to child exploitation, officials said.
“The safety of all the children in our communities is a top priority,” Yancey County Sheriff Shane Hilliard stated. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who pose a threat are held accountable.”
Authorities have not released further details about the case, including the nature of the allegations or how Dover was identified as a suspect.
The investigation remains ongoing as law enforcement continues efforts to combat crimes against children.
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