Hillsborough Man Arrested On Child Exploitation Charges

Last Friday, January 24, 2025, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Hillsborough man and have charged him with 15 counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. The sheriff’s office says Christopher M. Watson, 45, turned himself in at the magistrate’s office, immediately posted a $7,500 secure bond and appeared in court Monday afternoon.

According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation into Watson began after receiving an Internet Crimes Against Children tip in October. Watson’s third-degree charges involve possession material containing a visual representation of a minor engaged in a sexual activity.

Watson will next appear in court in February and has been ordered to have no contact with minor children.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Deputy K. Stewart with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at 919-245-2925.