Arrest made in child exploitation cold case

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A man has been arrested following an investigation into a child exploitation case out of Cherokee County.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) says at the end of February 2026, a detective with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office reopened a cold case originally reported in 2022 involving allegations of child exploitation.

Eventually, detectives developed probable cause and secured both a search warrant for the 900 block of Fairview Road in Andrews, North Carolina, and an arrest warrant for Robert Mayfield.

On March 27, 2026, Mayfield was taken into custody without incident.

Mayfield has been charged with one count of Felony Disseminating Obscenity, according to the CCSO.

During the operation, investigators seized multiple electronic devices from the residence, which will undergo forensic examination.

They say additional charges are expected as the investigation continues.

“Let this serve as a warning, if you are involved in crimes against children, you are not forgotten. Our detectives are working every single day, digging into old cases, following every lead, and making sure justice is served. You may think time protects you, it doesn’t. We are coming.”

– Sheriff Chris Wood said.