Bitcoin transactions and online activity led to the arrest of a Whiteville man on child porn charges Thursday.
Michael Deshawn Smith-Green, 38, of 101 Stanley Street, was jailed under a $5,000 secured bond. He was charged with felony conspiracy to obtain or purchase child sexual abuse material.
Whiteville Police Chief Paul Rockenbach said the WPD Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and Investigation Division began looking into the case in April. Investigators discovered Bitcoin transactions and online activity “consistent with the purchase of child sex abuse material,” Rockenbach said in a press release.
“Through a comprehensive digital investigation, investigators were able to develop evidence leading to the execution of a search warrant at Green’s residence,” Rockenbach said.
The warrant said that between April and June 2025, Green “conspired” with a CashApp vendor to purchase pornography featuring a minor. He allegedly initiated five Bitcoin withdrawals totaling $281.40 that were sent to a known Child Sexual Abuse Material vendor. Cashapp blocked four of the payments, the warrant said.
