A federal jury in Statesville has convicted Vincent Deritis, 33, of Hickory, of sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Ronnie Martinez, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in North and South Carolina, and Chief Thurman Whisnant of the Hickory Police Department join U.S. Attorney King in making yesterday’s announcement.