Collinsville Man Faces Child Exploitation Charges Following Joint Investigation
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An 18-year-old Collinsville man is facing multiple felony charges in Virginia and North Carolina following a joint investigation into the sexual assault and exploitation of a juvenile.
According to the Henry County Sheriff's Office, the investigation began on June 27 when detectives with the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office in North Carolina responded to a report involving a 14-year-old girl.
Investigators say the suspect and the juvenile had communicated through a social media messaging app before arranging to meet. Authorities allege the suspect entered the victim's home during the early morning hours and fled after being discovered.
The suspect was identified as Luis Angel Zuniga-Salgado, 18, of Collinsville. North Carolina authorities obtained warrants charging him with two counts of statutory rape of a child under 15, first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, and second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
Working with investigators from Rockingham County, deputies with the Henry County Sheriff's Office arrested Zuniga-Salgado in Henry County on July 10 without incident.
During the investigation, the Henry County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, searched the suspect's cellphone under a court-authorized warrant.
Investigators said they found images and videos identified as child sexual abuse material involving the same juvenile victim.
As a result, Henry County authorities charged Zuniga-Salgado with one count of first-offense possession of child pornography and six counts of possession of child pornography, second or subsequent offense.
Zuniga-Salgado is being held at the Henry County Adult Detention Center while awaiting extradition to North Carolina. Authorities also said an immigration detainer has been lodged against him.
The investigation remains ongoing as the Henry County Sheriff's Office, Rockingham County Sheriff's Office, and the Southern Virginia ICAC Task Force continue to work together.