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Officials: Son of sheriff candidate arrested in Instagram photo case

ROWAN COUNTY — Eyewitness News learned new information Friday about a Rowan County teenager accused of posting nude pictures of young girls on Instagram.

Channel 9's cameras were rolling as police arrested Peter Kiever, 18, Thursday night.

Landis police Capt. Roger Hosey said an internet protocol address revealed Peter Kiever was behind the Instagram pages that displayed the nude photos of girls from Rowan County.

Police believe he solicited pictures which were then submitted by other people.

"When this account was established there was a post that said 'submit pictures to us,'" said Hosey.

Before the Instagram page appeared, Granite Quarry police were already investigating Peter Kiever.

They said in October a complaint was filed that alleged Peter Kiever was harassing a 12-year old girl and asking her for nude pictures of herself.  Granite Quarry police said they uncovered that Peter Kiever was soliciting nude pictures from other young people as well and storing them on a mobile device.

The investigation came to a head Thursday when police arrested Peter Kiever and charged him with 14 felony sex crimes.

"We went to his house in Granite and attempted to find him and his father called later and turned him in.  He turned himself in to us," said Hosey.

Police said Peter Kiever's father is Brian Kiever, a former law enforcement officer who is now running for Rowan County sheriff.

They said they arrested Brian Kiever and his wife in October because they said the couple resisted an officer who was executing a search warrant at their home. The officer was looking for evidence against their son. Both of them pleaded no contest.