WILSON N.C — A recently released Barton College library professor is awaiting trial for additional charges related to soliciting underage girls on social media, along with possession of visual representation of underage girls engaged in sexual acts.
Matthew Owen Flint, 47, was taken into custody Aug. 8 by the Wilson Police Department on 35 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Last week, he received three counts each, of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, taking indecent liberties with a child and soliciting a child by computer.
“Mr. Flint is not at work and is not permitted to return,” said Barton College’s Director of Public Relations Kathy Daughety.
Court records show that Flint is accused of repeated offenses dating from March 2017. Flint joined the Barton College library staff in July 2014 after earning his undergraduate degree at Barton. He later earned a promotion to Librarian of Outreach and Public Services. Flint also served as an assistant professor of Library Science.
Daughety said that college policies are separate from any court proceedings.
“The College is actively following its personnel processes to bring resolution to this matter,” she said.
In the most recent charges, Flint stands accused of targeting “three juvenile girls, ages from 12 to 14, for inappropriate relationships via social media outlets.”
In his previous charges, all 35 original counts accused Flint of “unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously duplicating material containing visual representation of minors, ages unknown, engaging in sexual activities.”
The activities consisted of “prepubescent females” undressing, bathing and engaging in sex acts with each other and adult men, according to arrest warrants on file at the Wilson County Courthouse. It is commonly understood that the age range for prepubescent girls is 9 to 12.
Police received a cyber tipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on July 14 regarding flagged child pornography content. With a search warrant for the flagged content and accounts, police were able to identify Flint as a suspect.
Investigators found Flint to be in possession of numerous photographs and videos of child pornography, according to warrants.
Police took Flint into custody at 11:48 a.m. Aug 8 with a first day in court at 9 a.m. Aug. 9 where he received a $237,500 secured bond. With the additional nine charges, Flint’s total bond increased to $437,500. He currently remains incarcerated in the Wilson County Detention Center.
With the previous secured bond, Flint’s attorney Thomas Sallenger believed that the bond is, “unreasonable and unnecessarily burdensome upon Flint, and is more stringent than necessary to ensure Flint’s presence at his trial,” according to court documents.
The Collegiate reached out to Sallenger for more information. However, Sallenger did not return messages left with his office.
Police worked with the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation on the case, according to a press release provided by Sgt. Eric McInerny, Public Information Officer for the Wilson Police Department.
McInerny said that the investigation is still ongoing.
“The Wilson Police Department would like to thank the supporting agencies for assisting with this investigation,” said McInerny.
The department is encouraging anyone with information regarding the case to contact the Wilson Police Department at 252-399-2323 or Crime Stoppers at 252-243-2255.
Photo provided by the Wilson Police Department
Jessica F. Simmons 
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