Virginia Beach Naval officer facing child-exploitation charges

ISLE OF WIGHT, Va. (WTKR) -- A U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer was arrested on 20 felony warrants following an investigation of the exploitation of a minor.

Michael Hartgraves, 38, of Virginia Beach, was arrested after a four-month-long operation.

Hartgraves is charged with 16 counts of use of communication system to request minor to expose genitals, three counts of use of communication device to request sex act from minor, and one count of use of a communication device to request child feel or fondle his own sexual or genital parts, according to officials.

Isle of Wight County Sheriff's Office and Norfolk Police say they became aware of a profile on an internet chat room that was seeking to engage in sexual activity with a minor. The profile communicated with undercover agents and the communication lasted on and off for four months, officials say.

Michael Hartgraves allegedly sent explicit pictures and videos to a female he thought was a minor, according to the Isle of Wight Sheriff's Office.

Hartgraves works out of Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story and is a member of the Navy Special Warfare Command Small Boat Team 20.