FROM STAFF REPORTS

A 21-year-old man was charged with taking indecent liberties with a minor following an investigation by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Javier Roberto Hernandez in a news release.

The ICSO began investigating on December 12 after receiving a report from a middle school employee in reference to a child making statements of sexual assault, Campbell said. The student disclosed she had been sexually abused outside of school by a family friend in eastern Iredell County between August 29, 2016, and June 6, 2017, the sheriff added.

The case was assigned to Detective Sergeant Katie Campbell of the ICSO Special Victims Unit.

The child was interviewed at the Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center, where she identified Hernandez as the suspect, according to the news release.

Based on witness statements and additional evidence gathered during the investigation, Harwell obtained a warrant charging Hernandez with felony indecent liberties with a minor. Hernandez was entered as a Wanted Person.

On Saturday, January 16, Hernandez arrested and taken to the Iredell County Detention Center. He was served with the warrant, then appeared before Magistrate Callejas, who issued a $20,000 secured bond on this charge.