Former UNCC student Heath Gerard, 22, was returned to Charlotte from West Virginia to face 6 counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.Police say they are concerned Gerard may have had serious illegal sexual contact with children or others in the Charlotte area and would like anyone with information to come forward immediately.
CMPD say they first became aware of Gerard while conducting an undercover Internet sting where they say obtained child pornography from a location in Charlotte and traced it back to Gerard’s computer.
In March, Detectives obtained a warrant and searched Gerard's residence where they took his computer and other digital media from the room he rented in the home. Investigators said they recovered many disturbing and bizarre sexually explicit photos and videos of young children being sexually abused. Police said the victims are children (girls and boys) mostly under the age of ten.
Police obtained arrest warrants but Gerard fled before they apprehended him. Weeks later, Gerard made contact with CMPD detectives and he was arrested in Beckley, West Virginia on April 30, 2010. Police said that when he appeared in court, he contested his extradition to Charlotte and became combative to the point that extra restraints were necessary to complete the hearing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective C. Perez of the CMPD Cyber Crimes Unit at 704-432-4707 or call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.