Convicted sex offender arrested, accused of further sex crimes against children

MORGANTON, NC (WBTV) – A convicted sex offender with a long criminal history in Burke County has been arrested again on suspicion of sex crimes against children.

A representative from the Burke County Sheriff's Office said they received a tip from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children on August 19 regarding the distribution of child sexual abuse material.

This investigation resulted in a search warrant being obtained for a home on Hillhaven Circle in Morganton. Steven Kyle South was subsequently charged with second-degree exploitation of a minor, failure to register as a sex offender, and possession of methamphetamine.

South's criminal history in Burke County includes:

• September 18, 2005: Indecent liberties with a child
• December 9, 2008: Failure to register as a sex offender
• August 24, 2009: Violation of probation conditions
• April 24, 2013: Failure to report new address as a sex offender
• April 26, 2013: Violation of probation conditions
• July 24, 2013: Failure to register as a sex offender
• December 22, 2015: Failure to report new address as a sex offender

For his recent arrest, South was fined $50,000.

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