FROM STAFF REPORTS

A western Iredell County man faces two counts of statutory rape following an investigation by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Deshon Remon Barber, 22, of Taylorsville Highway, Statesville, in a news release on Tuesday.

The Sheriff’s Office received a report on July 9 concerning an alleged sexual assault involving a 13-year-old female victim, Campbell said. The case was assigned to ICSO Special Victims Unit Detective C. James for investigation.

During the investigation, the victim identified Barber as the suspect, according to the news release. She stated that she met the suspect on the social media app Instagram, Campbell said.

The alleged sexual assaults occurred between February and June, according to the news release.

Electronic evidence obtained by the ICSO revealed the suspect chatted with the girl online for several weeks, the sheriff said.

Detective James obtained warrants charging Barber with two counts of felony statutory rape of a person who is 15 years of age or younger.

Membrs of the ICSO Warrant Squad arrested Barber on Friday, August 23.

Barber appeared before District Judge Bryan Corbett, who issued a $150,000 secured bond on the charges.

The suspect has two previous convictions of misdemeanor resisting a public officer, according to the news release.