Jefferson man charged with sexual exploitation of a minor

JEFFERSON — Ashe County Sheriff B. Phil Howell announces the arrest of 34-year-old Joshua James Roland of Jefferson.

Over the past several months, the NC State Bureau of Investigation and the Detectives of the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office have initiated an investigation into Joshua James Roland. As a result of the investigation, Roland was arrested and charged with six felony counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and one felony count of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

Due to the nature of the ongoing investigation, limited details are being released at this time. Multiple agencies are assisting, and additional charges are pending.

Roland is currently being held in the Ashe County Detention Center under a $1 million secured bond.