Created: 3/9/2007 3:36:32 PM 
(Gaston) - Deputies say Tiffany Melvin, the 25-year-old woman they charged in connection with the sex and drug charges of a Gaston man turned herself in Saturday. Her bond was set at $200,000 on Sunday.
Deputies say Melvin turned herself in around 5 p.m. Saturday.
Aubrey "Toby" Batson, 68, is charged with four counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of children, two counts of possessing cocaine, one count of criminal sexual conduct with a minor, one count of distributing cocaine, one count of distributing methamphetamine and one count of unlawfully possessing a pistol.
Deputies say they began an undercover investigation six months ago concerning allegations that Batson was having sex with teen-age girls between the ages of 13 and 16 in exchange for money, cocaine, methamphetamine and cellular telephones. Officers say in some cases, the man photographed himself having sex with the girls. They also say Melvin recruited girls to have sex with Batson.
Officers say they searched Batson's Gaston home Thursday, as well as a mobile home that he owns in Swansea. Melvin lives in the mobile home and deputies say that Batson paid her living expenses.
Authorities say Batson began a sexual relationship with Melvin she she was just a teen and she was employed as a secretary by Toby Co., Batson's construction company.
Officers say they found a small amount of cocaine as well as a practice grenade that had been made into an explosive device. Officers also found an assault rifle, ammunition and a gun port that had been created in a wall in the master bedroom so that Batson could fire a rifle towards the driveway outside his home.
Officers also say they uncovered images of teenage girls having sex with Batson. Deputies say they also found other pornographic material.
Investigators say the girls referred to Batson as "Grandpa." They say he met the girls through Tiffany Melvin, who officers say had had a relationship with since she was a teenager.
Melvin is charged of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. The arrest warrant alleges that Melvin enticed a girl under the age of 16 to have sex with a man and to be photographed having sex with the man. Deputies say Batson owns the home in which Melvin lives and used the home for his sexual liaisons with teen-age girls.
"It's unbelievable, it's shocking," said Batson's neighbor Joy Knowlton. "Especially when you have children ... that I allow my daughter to come out in the yard, thinking she's safe. I never knew that he was right there."
Anyone with more information in this case should call Crimestoppers at 1-888-559-TIPS. All tips are anonymous.
