CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — A Cabarrus County Schools transportation safety assistant is no longer employed by the district after being arrested in an undercover child-exploitation sting in South Carolina, officials said.
According to Cabarrus County Schools, Matthew Wicker was suspended on Oct. 31 after the district was notified of an investigation by the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office. His employment was terminated on Nov. 13. Wicker had worked for the school system since August 2023.
Authorities in South Carolina said Wicker was one of eight men arrested during “Operation Online Guardian,” an undercover operation conducted by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Investigators posing as minors under the age of 14 communicated online with suspects who allegedly attempted to meet the children for sexual activity.
The operation led to multiple arrests across the region. Officials said Wicker was taken into custody on Nov. 13 and charged with solicitation of a minor. His mugshot and full booking details were not immediately released by South Carolina authorities.
The investigation involves both the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office. No additional information about Wicker’s case, including court dates or bond status, had been released as of Friday.
Cabarrus County Schools said it is fully cooperating with law enforcement.