A 20-year-old North Carolina man has been arrested after authorities alleged he used Snapchat to communicate sexually with minors and produce explicit content involving more than a dozen underage individuals.
Ashton French, of Kinston, was arrested on May 7 by the Craven County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children unit, according to local reports citing the sheriff’s office. Authorities said the investigation began in December 2025 after a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children involving the alleged online solicitation of a minor through Snapchat.
French has been charged in Craven County with statutory rape and statutory sex offense.
What Investigators Allege Happened on Snapchat
According to investigators, French allegedly used Snapchat to engage in sexual communications and produce sexually explicit content involving more than a dozen minors, including children as young as 12. Authorities said the minors were located in North Carolina and multiple other states.
Investigators also alleged that French sent explicit content of himself to multiple minors and solicited minors across Eastern North Carolina for sex. In some instances, authorities alleged he traveled to minors’ homes to engage in sexual acts.
In Craven County, investigators said they identified a 13-year-old girl who allegedly had a sexual relationship with French. Local reports state that French is being held at the Craven County Confinement Facility without bond and that investigators are working to identify additional minors who may be connected to the case.
Why Online Exploitation Cases Can Be Difficult to Recognize
Online exploitation can begin in ways that may not immediately look dangerous to a child or teen. A person may start with friendly messages, compliments, jokes, or shared interests before gradually introducing sexual comments, secrecy, pressure, threats, or requests for images.
For minors, this can create confusion and fear. A child may worry they will get in trouble, lose access to their phone, or be blamed for what happened. In many cases, young people do not tell a parent, caregiver, teacher, or friend right away.
Cases involving Snapchat and similar apps can be especially concerning because messages, images, and videos may feel temporary. But even when content appears to disappear, it may still be saved, shared, reported, or recovered through an investigation.
For families, the most important first response is support. A calm conversation can help a child understand that they are not at fault and that help is available.
Legal Options After Online Sexual Exploitation
When a minor is allegedly exploited online, the criminal case is only one part of what families may face. Criminal charges are handled by prosecutors and can determine whether the accused person is punished under the law.
Civil legal options are different. A civil claim may help victims and families seek accountability from individuals or, in some cases, institutions or organizations that may have failed to respond appropriately to known risks. Civil cases can also help address financial costs connected to therapy, safety planning, medical care, and other recovery needs.
Every case is different. The available options may depend on where the harm occurred, the age of the victim, whether images were created or shared, whether an adult traveled to meet a minor, and whether any organization had warning signs.
Get Legal Help After Online Sexual Exploitation
If you or your child were impacted by alleged online sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment, Helping Survivors may be able to help you understand your rights and resources.
Contact Helping Survivors today to learn more about legal help and survivor-centered resources that may support your next step.
