CURRITUCK COUNTY, N.C. (WAVY) – A man has been charged with 12 counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor after members of the Currituck County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigations Division and Currituck SWAT, along with the State Bureau of Investigation, executed a search warrant Tuesday.
The Currituck County Sheriff’s Office said it executed the search warrant at a residence on Laurel Woods Way, where they arrested Anthony Chase Ingram.
Ingram previously served as a volunteer wrestling coach at Currituck High School during 2022-2023 season, the school division confirmed.
Cindy Britt, a friend of Ingram’s family, read 10 On Your Side a statement on behalf of his family.
“The family is just as blindsided as the community. We do not know anything more than the public and ask for privacy and healing space at this time. We decline any further interviews and ask that any further questions be directed to Chase’s attorney,” Britt read.
Neighbors said the scene on Tuesday was shocking as a SWAT team took Ingram into custody in an otherwise quiet and peaceful neighborhood.
“We were coming home from an appointment and came home to the aftermath and were just complete, you know, it’s a quiet neighborhood but friendly neighborhood so you don’t see that kind of thing a lot,” said neighbor Katrice Shuey.
Shuey said that Ingram largely stays to himself, as do many in the neighborhood. She said neighbors should respect the family’s space.
“I hope the rest of my neighborhood and community feels the same way,” she said. “That they can have their peace. And he’s innocent until proven guilty.”
He was given a secured bond of $200,000 and is currently being held at the Currituck County Detention Center. A hearing is scheduled for May 3.
Check with WAVY.com for updates.
