A Gaston man was arrested in connection with the sexual exploitation of minors following an investigation prompted by a CyberTipline report.

According to investigators, the report led authorities to Francisco Simon Francisco Tomas, 24, of Lexington County. Investigators say he was found to be in possession of files containing child sexual abuse material.

Tomas was arrested Dec. 15 and charged with five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, third degree. Each count is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

“Child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, is a more accurate reflection of the material involved in these heinous and abusive crimes. ‘Pornography’ can imply the child was a consenting participant. Globally the term child pornography is being replaced by CSAM for this reason,” the release stated.