On January 3rd and 4th, 2023, the Gaston County Police, assisted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations, and Homeland Security Investigations, conducted an operation involving over seventeen (17) different cyber tips received through the Internet Crime Against Children Task Force (ICAC) and National Center Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
The operation included a Search Warrant for 214 West Hwy 161 Bessemer City, NC. As a result of the operation, Gaston County Police have charged:
Scott Charles Beam, age 35, of 214 W. Hwy 161 Bessemer City, NC, was charged with possession of Child Pornography. Mr. Beam is held in the Gaston County Jail under a $225,000 bond.
The investigations continue, and anyone with further information is asked to contact Det. M. Rheinson at 704-866-3320 or Crimestoppers at 704-861-8000. There is no further information available at this time.