A 50-year-old North Carolina man is in custody and held on a $3 million bond status after officials say he attempted to buy a child.
According to investigators, the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Human Trafficking Unit met with Gate Beautiful, Inc. on April 2, 2024.
The meeting was about an unknown subject who was attempting to buy a 9-year-old child for sexual gratification.
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That unknown subject was identified as 50-year-old Joseph Jay Vieu of Sanford, North Carolina.
“The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has been assisting the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office to investigate a Lee County man that attempted to purchase a 9-year-old child,” Lee County Sheriff Brian Estes said in a released statement.
On Thursday, April 25, 2024, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the residence of 1329 Post Office Rd Sanford, NC.
Joseph Jay Vieu, 50, was arrested on two counts of human trafficking involving a child victim and two counts of soliciting prostitution of a minor.
“I have no words to describe this type of behavior,” Sheriff Estes said. “I would like to thank the investigators involved with this case, and I pray for justice.”
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If you have any information about this investigation, please call the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Senior Sergeant N. Mincey (910) 677-5514. To remain anonymous, contact Fayetteville / Cumberland County Crimestoppers at (910) 483-8477.
Crimestoppers' information may be submitted electronically by visiting http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org and completing the anonymous online tip sheet or downloading the FREE "P3 Tips" app available for Apple devices in the Apple App Store and available for Android devices in Google Play.
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