GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SENATE BILL 493 states:
POST‑ARREST PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES NOT PUBLIC
SECTION 2.10.(a) G.S. 15A‑502 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(f) A photograph of a person charged with the commission of a misdemeanor or felony taken by a law enforcement officer or agency pursuant to this section is confidential and exempt from disclosure as a public record under Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, except that the photograph may be disclosed to the public if (i) the person is charged with a felony or (ii) the officer or agency determines that release of the photograph is reasonably necessary to secure the public's safety. Any photograph exempt from disclosure under this subsection shall become public upon conviction of the person charged."
The subject pictured was charged and convicted of the felonies attendant to his arrest.