FROM STAFF REPORTS

A western Iredell County resident faces more than a dozen felony charges after he was accused of sexually abusing two girls.

Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Jeredhiah Omar Mendoza, 21, in a news release on Monday.

The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office began investigating on December 5 after receiving a report that two juvenile females had been inappropriately touched while they were staying overnight at a family member’s home, Campbell said.

Special Victims Unit Detective Jena Wabel was assigned the case. She learned the victims disclosed the activity to a trusted adult, who in turn contacted the sheriff’s office, according to the news release.

After Mendoza was interviewed and evidence in the case was evaluated, the detective obtained 14 warrants chargining the suspect with felony indecent liberties with a child.

Mendoza was arrested on December 7 and taken to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was served with the warrants. Magistrate Callejas issued a $1 million secured bond on these charges.

This investigation is still ongoing and additional charged could be filed, Campbell said.