Juan Pablo Valencia-Chavez
URGENT UPDATE: A Salisbury High School teacher, Juan Pablo Valencia-Chavez, has been arrested for possessing child pornography, confirmed by the Salisbury Police Department today. The shocking arrest follows an investigation that began on October 30, 2025, after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted authorities to suspicious uploads linked to an unidentified individual in Salisbury.
Detectives identified Valencia-Chavez, aged 35, as the suspect who allegedly uploaded the illicit material. With assistance from the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation and the Landis Police Department, law enforcement executed a search of his residence in Landis. During this forensic search, evidence, including images and videos consistent with child pornography, was uncovered.
Valencia-Chavez was arrested on January 6, 2026, and charged with one count of felony third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. He is currently held at the Rowan County Detention Center on a $20,000 bond. The investigation has raised significant concerns about student safety, prompting immediate action from school officials to limit Valencia-Chavez’s interactions with students and staff.
“Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our children,” stated Chief P.J. Smith. “We will always pursue these investigations with the utmost seriousness to ensure that those responsible for this type of egregious activity are held accountable.”
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information regarding the case to contact Detective McDaniel at 704-638-5333.
This developing story highlights the critical need for vigilance against child exploitation. Stay tuned for more updates as the situation unfolds.
