Late last week, the Special Victims Unit of the Criminal Investigations Bureau participated in a joint operation with Homeland Security Investigations and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation following multiple Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) tips linked to a residence in Indian Trail.

During the investigation, detectives discovered multiple individuals living in the home, each renting individual rooms. Two of the residents were identified as Joseph Ransey and Ramon Harris.

While investigators conducted general questioning, it was determined that Joseph Ransey, a registered sex offender, was not in compliance with registration requirements.

Ramon Harris confessed to investigators he was the individual who had the pornographic material on his devices. A Digital Forensic Examiner with the Sheriff’s Office later discovered more than 200,000 images of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on the devices. The forensic examination remains ongoing, and additional material is still being processed.

Joseph Ransey was arrested and transported to the Union County Detention Center. He appeared before a Judicial Official and was issued a $3,500 bond. He has since met the conditions of his release.

Ramon Harris was also arrested and charged with numerous counts of Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. A Judicial Official issued a bond of $1,050,000. He is currently still housed at the Union County Detention Center.