CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — A Caldwell County pastor was arrested last week on multiple child sex abuse charges, deputies said.
The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office served two search warrants at the home of Ashley James Crouse, 51, on Friday, Nov. 3, after receiving a tip Crouse was accused of having inappropriate contact with a minor. Crouse is a pastor at New Vision Baptist Church in Granite Falls, North Carolina, according to the sheriff's office.
Detectives collected items from Crouse's home and the church that were sent to a lab for forensic examinations for material depicting child exploitation. Crouse is currently charged with four counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. He was given a $1 million bond on those charges.
Caldwell County deputies are working in conjunction with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce Program. The multi-jurisdictional program allows state, local and federal agencies to collaborate on investigations involving allegations of child sex exploitation.
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.
WCNC Charlotte is choosing to the show the mugshot of the suspect in this case due to his job as a pastor and police searching for more potential victims.