Knightdale man faces child pornography charges

Ryan George Watkins, 35, of Aqua Marine Lane, was charged Tuesday with 11 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

Knightdale officials said police received a tip in February that a device at the home had uploaded two sexually explicit images from the social media site Tumblr in December. The home was searched Tuesday, and three devices were seized, officials said.

According to arrest warrants, investigators found photos and images on the devices showing young girls engaged in sex acts with men. The files were dated between November 20177 and May 2018.

No children were living in the home, and the photos didn't include anybody living in the home, officials said. Investigators are working to identify the children depicted in the photos and videos, but officials said they are not believed to be from the Knightdale area.

This case is still under investigation.

If he is released on bond, Watkins was ordered not to have any contact with anyone under age 18.