2 men accused of trying to solicit sex from children, Union County sheriff says

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — The Union County Sheriff’s Office says two men were arrested for allegedly trying to solicit sex from children online.

According to the sheriff’s office on Tuesday, detectives found out about the men in separate investigations. Deputies say they were using “various online social media and web-based platforms” and “actively soliciting underaged children for sexual acts.”

The suspects were identified as 25-year-old Matthew Oakes of Monroe and 28-year-old Nasario Espinoza of Charlotte.

Oakes was a substitute teacher who had worked with Union County Public Schools, a district official confirmed to Channel 9. He was removed from the approved substitutes list as of May 30.

Channel 9 also learned that Oakes was a former youth director at Centerview church in Monroe.

Centerview Pastor Greg Couts told Channel 9: “We are shocked and disappointed by these turn of events. Shocked at the nature and severity of the charge, and disappointed that one of our leaders could potentially be involved in such heinous activity.”

Couts said the church asked parents to speak with children, and none reported being victimized by Oakes.

“The hardworking men and women of this agency have identified and apprehended dangerous men who thought the crimes they committed in the dark would never come to light,” Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey said in a statement.

The sheriff’s office says both of the suspects posted bond and are no longer in custody.

UCSO says the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office helped with the cases.

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