Elizabethton Man Arrested in Undercover Child Exploitation Sting Operation

Elizabethton Police Make Arrest in Child Exploitation Case

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. — The peaceful atmosphere of Elizabethton was shaken recently by an unsettling incident that has left many residents concerned. A two-month undercover investigation by local police led to the arrest of a North Carolina man who has been charged with _sexual exploitation of a minor_.

The Investigation Begins

It all started back in August when an investigator received a message on an undercover social media account. This message came from a man soliciting sex from what he believed to be a 16-year-old girl. As the months rolled into September, the communications didn’t just stop; in fact, several more messages were sent, indicating that the man was trying to follow through with his unlawful intentions.

A Search Warrant and New Discoveries

With the situation escalating, police moved quickly, securing a search warrant. On October 3, the team received valuable information about the suspect associated with the Facebook account named “David Eller.” The investigation revealed that this account was actually operated by 44-year-old Timothy Charles Rupard, a resident of Avery County, North Carolina.

Police soon discovered that Rupard was under the impression that he was communicating with a 16-year-old girl and had made his intentions quite clear, expressing a strong desire to meet in person for sexual activities. The more the investigators uncovered, the more troubling the situation appeared.

Setting the Stage for an Arrest

In a tactical move, law enforcement officers took their positions in an empty apartment at Pine Ridge Circle apartments. They understood that Rupard had previously owned a blue 2013 GMC Sierra pickup truck, so they kept a lookout for this vehicle.

As the plan unfolded, Rupard messaged the supposed minor, telling her that he was willing to travel to Tennessee for a meet-up. On October 11, he even went so far as to call her from the Facebook account, claiming he was facing traffic delays and sending a photograph of the accident he was allegedly stuck behind. It was through this image that police confirmed he was driving the GMC pickup truck.

The Chase

Eventually, at around 2:48 PM on that fateful day, Rupard arrived. He texted the girl to say he was outside in his blue GMC Sierra with a camper top. However, unbeknownst to him, law enforcement officers watching closely sprang into action as he lingered in his vehicle.

As Rupard received the signal for his apprehension, police moved in. Officers positioned themselves in front of his vehicle and began issuing commands for him to exit. Rather than comply, Rupard attempted to flee, leading to a brief chase before he was ultimately taken into custody.

Charges Filed

As a result of this incident, Rupard was charged with a series of serious offenses, including _sexual exploitation of a minor_, simple possession of Schedule VI drugs, stop sign violation, felony evading law enforcement, unlawful passing of a vehicle in the opposite direction, and reckless driving.

Bail and Upcoming Court Date

After being processed, Rupard was able to post a $38,000 bond and has since been released from jail. He is scheduled to face court proceedings on November 18. The entire situation has left the community on edge but also highlights the critical work law enforcement is doing to protect minors from exploitation.

A Community on Alert

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk online and emphasizes the responsibility we all have to look out for one another, especially our younger generation. The team at the Elizabethton Police Department is dedicated to ensuring that such serious threats are addressed promptly, keeping both the community and its children safe.

Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity as the local authorities continue their efforts in safeguarding the community.