Mariel Williams
editor@mitchellnews.com
Paul David Dover, 67, of Spruce Pine is facing federal child pornography charges after being arrested in Yancey County.
According to the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office, Dover was arrested in the parking lot at the McDonald’s in Burnsville March 14. The arrest is the culmination of a joint operation involving multiple agencies, with Yancey deputies assisting the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Marshals Service.
“The safety of all children in our communities is a top priority,” said Yancey County Sheriff Shane Hilliard in a release. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who pose a threat are held accountable.”
According to the Franklin Police Department, Dover’s arrest stemmed from a Macon County effort called “Operation Tripwire,” which took place in August. Operation Tripwire was an effort to find people involved in internet crimes against children, conducted by the Franklin Police Department, the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, and multiple other agencies.
Dover reportedly taught welding at Mayland Community College and had worked one and half days as a substitute teacher in Mitchell County Schools in 2018.