The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of Jose Merly Henriquez-Diaz, who faces 10 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. The charges follow a Cybertip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, as said in a press release.
According to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, the Invictus Task Force initiated an investigation in May 2025 after receiving the Cybertip. This prompted a multi-agency review of digital evidence and activities potentially involving child exploitation. During this process, Henriquez-Diaz, 44, from Winston Salem, was identified as a suspect.
The same press release reports that on July 24, 2025, the Invictus Task Force executed a search warrant at a location linked to Henriquez-Diaz. He was arrested without incident and charged with ten counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, which is considered a felony under North Carolina law. Following his arrest, Henriquez-Diaz was taken to the Forsyth County Detention Center where he received a $200,000 secured bond.
The investigation remains ongoing. Law enforcement officials encourage anyone with relevant information to contact representatives from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Invictus Task Force. Investigators emphasize that tips from organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are crucial for protecting children and prosecuting offenders. The agency is working alongside local, state, and federal partners to ensure thorough investigations into cases involving child exploitation.
The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement services throughout Randolph County, North Carolina. It collaborates with specialized task forces such as Invictus and works with regional and federal agencies on complex cases. More information about its services can be found on its official website.
