Elizabethton man arrested in Florida on child sex charges

An Elizabethton man who is accused of possessing numerous images of child sexual abuse material was arrested in Florida. The Carter County Sheriff’s Office says Michael S. Barnett was arrested by deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department on Thursday. 33 year old Barnett of the Stoney Creek area, was charged with sexual exploitation of a minor after the Carter County Sheriffs Office searched digital media storage devices. The investigation started earlier in May after a tip regarding Barnett was received, along with several devices. After being arresting in Florida, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department also charged Barnett with being a fugitive from justice. Barnett is being held in Florida until he can be extradited back to Carter County.