RFP Staff

♦ Sources in the Salisbury Police reported that late this afternoon that a 2 year-old female child was found deceased in a black Chevrolet car in a parking lot behind Building 7 at the W. G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center on the 1600 Block of Brenner Avenue in Salisbury.

Salisbury Police investigators examining car at the scene (from Facebook):

Police were dispatched to the Center at 4:37 p.m. when a VA employee found the child in a locked car. When officers drove into the VA lot they were directed to the Chevrolet and immediately went to work forcing their way into car’s by breaking out the rear window. The child, strapped to her car seat, was lifted out and given CPR by the officers until they were releaved by EMS and the Salisbury Fire Department. Sadly the youngster was pronounced dead at the scene.  According to Salisbury Police sources the toddler was transported yesterday to the Medical Examiner’s office in Chapel Hill, N.C. for an autopsy.  District Attorney Brandy Cook will decide what charges will be brought if any after examining the Medical Examiner’s report.  The autopsy is due to be performed Friday morning.

Allegedly the child was left in the car all day.  It’s reported the mother got to work just before 8 a.m.  The child was not removed from the car until 4:37 p.m.  The heat likely built up in the car overtime due to yesterday’s temperatures.

The father of the child showed up in the later afternoon and was visibly upset.  Officers at the scene were said to be in tears.

The mother of the deceased child was employed at the Center.  It is said she only recently began employment at the VA.  Her name has not been released.

The VA Police are assisting Salisbury Police detectives in the investigation.

**This article will be updated as more information arrives.**

RFP Staff

♦ Video: LaTonya Sockwell Speaks Out at Salisbury City Council on October 4th about the Lack of Police Charges and Criminal Prosecution:

RFP Staff

♦ Sources in the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office report that 14 utility poles were stolen from Earnhardt Lumber Company on 13525 U.S. Highway 52 in Gold Hill, N.C.  The crime was reported at 7:09 p.m. to 911.  According to reports 14 utility were poles hauled away from the lumber company by a sizeable truck with a boom lift.  An apartment renter on the property approached the truck and several men wearing construction hardhats and shirts bearing the letters NACC. They claimed they had permission from a utility company to haul off the utility poles.  Before the lumber company owner could be alerted the truck drove out of the alley behind the main building and headed down U.S. Highway 52.

The owner never gave permission to have the utility poles hauled away.

Earnhardt Lumber Company on 13525 U.S. Highway 52 in Gold Hill, N.C.:

Map of Earnhardt Lumber Company’s Location in Gold Hill, N.C.:

The 14 poles, 9 full-sized utility poles and 5 smaller poles, were valued at $10,000.

A number of interstate truck gangs, originating in Georgia and South Carolina, specialize in lumber and heavyduty powerequipment and regularly cruise the highways of Rowan County looking for valuable machinery.

The origin of the letters NACC? Likely purchased from a uniform website or stolen from a business. There is an existing business with the letters NACC “New Age Communications Construction, LLC.” We doubt they’d go around purloining utility poles and stay in business long.

Contact

If you have any information about this crime please call the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office at 704-216-8700. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect an award of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**This article will be updated as soon as more information arrives.**

RFP Staff/Todd Paris, Photographer

♦  Staff writer and roving photographer Todd Paris stumbled across a photographic rarity Friday since Fibrant guzzled millions from Salisbury’s ability to provide basic city services such as timely trash pickup, a police department, and street repair.  Penetrating deeply into one of City Hall’s favored districts, Todd actually saw roadwork being done in the “Country Club” and promptly snapped a photo.

Chuck Hughes, Board of Education, Salisbury, N.C.

♦ Teacher exodus from Rowan-Salisbury School System is real. However, the question is if this is an economic driven exodus or is it due to some other motivation? Think about it.  Given the choice of a pay raise or the option of teaching in a classroom where the teacher actually has control, most would choose the latter. If anyone enters the teaching profession anticipating great financial rewards, they are misguided.  Teaching and wealth don’t appear on the same page.  Teachers want and deserve outstanding pay.  They have to put food on the table and pay bills.

If teacher exit interviews were obtained, as I have repeatedly asked them to be, I believe we would see the flight from education to be motivated by the need for  less stressful, less hostile and less disruptive learning environments.  When children are allowed to consistently disrupt the classroom by fighting, cussing out teachers or other misbehavior holding the education of other students hostage,  the classroom becomes distracting and stressful for both students and teachers.

Recognizing the negative affect of classroom disruption on education, our Board of Education developed a pilot program to address it – the Restorative Classroom. Students who are consistently disruptive in the classroom are transferred to one of the Restorative Classrooms equipped with specialized teachers, behavior specialists and social workers where each student can obtain the individual attention needed to address both behavior and education.

This approach to what I believe is a major problem in education, as well as teacher retention, is productive on several levels:

• Students are now in a classroom free of disruption and fear are able to focus on learning.

• Teachers are now free to do what they became teachers to do – teaching.

• Students who are in need of special attention get the specialized attention they require at an age where change is more likely to be more receptive.

If this new program is successful, as I believe it will be, we may eventually put Henderson Independent out of business.

RFP Staff

♦ Two large trees fell on Rep. Carl and Angela Ford’s China Grove Home on Saturday as the result of the rain-soaked ground.  Mercifully no one was injured and the roof sustained minimal damage in the form of leaks.  Carl, with assistance of Taylor Ford and Eddie Ford, quickly got up on the roof and covered it with tarps to keep out the rain.  The trees were cut up by the fast moving trio.

Rep. Carl Ford gives his best to all of Rowan County!

“Two huge trees on the house. Could be more damage than we thought. Several leaks. Carl Ford, Taylor Ford & Eddie Ford on roof trying to cut limbs and cover roof with tarps. What a mess but God was watching over us!” reported Angela Ford wife of Rep. Carl Ford on Facebook.

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♦ Saturday witnessed the outer bands of Hurricane Matthew pass through Rowan County, dumping approximately 4.5 inches of rain in many parts of Rowan County and leaving behind it downed trees, vehicular accidents, downed power lines, power outages, and damaged homes caused by fallen trees and limbs.

• Salisbury’s October Tour saw a limited turnout due to the rain and activity cancellations. Perhaps Sunday will prove a better day as skies are forecast as sunny.

• Some 50 calls for downed trees were reported in the county.  A few taking power lines down with them causing several hundred outages mostly around Faith, Spencer, and East Spencer according to Duke Energy.   Likely many downed trees went unreported because they occurred on vacant properties.  More trees may fall Sunday because of the water-logged ground.

• A few minor accidents occurred due to hydroplaning and poor visibility.  No serious injuries were reported.  A tractor trailer flipped on its side at exit 79.

RFP Staff

♦ Board of Education Work Session Monday, October 10th at 1 P.M. at Wallace Education Forum on 500 N. Main St. in Salisbury, N.C.:

https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/ViewMeetingOrder.aspx?S=800&MID=2601

RFP Staff

♦ The burglary spree in Salisbury, N.C. continues at a breakneck pace manned by revolving door criminals. No area of Salisbury is immune. The three burglaries we chose from the last few days represent substantial amounts of valuables and technology carried off.

Salisbury Police sources report that Park Boyer, 36, discovered his home on 76 Hill Street was victimized by a burglary–forcible entry on Thursday when he called 911 to report the crime at 1:53 a.m. Boyer came home to discover a window was forced open and a door handle was broken. Then he looked around.

76 Hill Street in Salisbury, N.C.:

Gone were 2 PlayStation video game players, a Mosin Nagant carbine, 2 TVs, a Xbox/360 video game player, and a Troy Bilt Weed Eater. A window and a door handle were damaged. All told the estimated value of the stolen items and the damage was $1,475.

At this time no suspects have been named.

Citizens having any knowledge about this crime are urged to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect an award of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**This article will be updated as soon as more information arrives.**

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♦ Sources in the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office report that Mark Kreiss,28, of the 400 block of Ridgecrest Road reported at 4:05 p.m. on Saturday that his home was burgled. His damaged back door was the point of entry. Mr. Kreiss reported that his Apple Iphone4, his Apple Air laptop, and a pair of shoes were stolen. The stolen items and the door damage were estimated at $1,850.

The 400 block of Ridgecrest Road in Salisbury, N.C.:

No arrests have been made or suspects named.

If you have any information about this crime please call the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office at 704-216-8700. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect an award of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**This article will be updated as soon as more information arrives.**

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♦ Rowan County Sheriff’s Office sources report that Phillip Earnhardt, 42, of the 200 block of Mahaley Road was the victim of a burglary — forcible entry which was reported on Friday at 5:52 a.m. Mr. Earnhardt came home to find a door panel removed and that his home was looted. Gone were $7,000 in cash, 4 Vizio TVs, 1 Xbox 360 game player, 40 Xbox games, a passport, a safe, a Samsung S7 cellphone, 2 bracelets, and a necklace. Total estimated value of the stolen items and cash was $14,550. Door damages were set at $100.

Map of the 200 block of Mahaley Road in Salisbury, N.C.:

If you have any information about this crime please call the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office at 704-216-8700. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect an award of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**This article will be updated as soon as more information arrives.**

RFP Staff

♦ Video: City Councilman Kenny Hardin Questions Paula Bohland about DSI Inc. and Salisbury’s Downtown at City Council on October 4th:

Wasteland Artist Collective, Salisbury, NC

♦ Roscoe, Paula Bohland Ain’t Using “Vibrant” or “Visionary” to Describe Downtown Salisbury No More. Maybe She Should Go with “Vultures”?

RFP Staff

♦ Salisbury Police sources reported that Jose Juan Guzman-Guzman of Canton, Georgia was held up at knifepoint Monday at 10:40 p.m. in the CITGO filling station parking lot at 1509 E. Innes Street in Salisbury.  Mr. Guzman-Guzman was gave up $80 in cash which was recovered. Mr. Guzman-Guzman declined to prosecute.

CITGO at 1509 E. Innes Street in Salisbury, N.C.:

Map of CITGO at 1509 E. Innes Street:

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♦ Sources in the Salisbury Police Department report the popular Outback Steakhouse at 1020 E. Innes Street was the victim of a burglary–forcible entry reported Monday at 4:54 a.m.  The burglars broke a glass window with a rock and managed to haul away 2 Posi-Flex cash registers valued at $1,000. The alarms sounded driving off the burglars.  Damage to the glass window was estimated at $500.

Outback Steakhouse Salisbury, N.C.:

Map of Outback Steakhouse Location:

At this time no suspects have been named.

Citizens having any knowledge about this crime are urged to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect an award of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**This article will be updated as soon as more information arrives.**

Steve Mensing, Editor

♦ Rep. Carl Ford and I go back quite a few years and a lot of conversations together. I recall when he was contemplating leaving the Rowan County Commission and running for a seat on the North Carolina State Legislature.  We also appeared together of the Ford Broadcasting radio show “The Week in Politics” broadcast on Saturdays on Carl’s Radio station and on the internet.

When Carl got to Raleigh, he was a steady source of information about what was going on in the legislature.  We know each other as friends.  He’s one of the rare breed of elected officials who is a straight shooter and truly cares about the folks who elected him.

Steve Mensing: I appreciate you taking the time from your busy schedule and interviewing with us.

Carl Ford: Well thank you Steve.  I appreciate the fact that whenever I’ve interviewed with you whether over email or over the phone you’ve never changed a word of what I’ve said.  That’s a rare thing in todays often slanted media.

Steve Mensing: As a rule I don’t want to burn my bridges with the folks I interview.  If somebody tells me something’s off the record–it stays off the record.  I shy from twisting and distorting folks words or putting words in their mouth they never said.  I’ve seen too much of that elsewhere.  That’s why a lot of people have a marked distrust of what they hear and read in the media.  But enough about that.  Today I’d like to focus on what you see happening economically in North Carolina.

Carl Ford: The Republicans inherited a state with the 5th highest unemployment rate in the nation, some of the highest individual and corporate tax rates in the Southeast, an employment insurance debt of 2.8 billion owed to the feds, and $500 million in annual Medicaid overspending.  I’m not afraid to toot our horn, but Republican reforms are working in North Carolina.

Steve Mensing: How about the N.C. tax code?  It’s got plenty of thumbs up reviews in the national media.

Carl Ford: North Carolina can boast one of the most pro-entrepreneur, pro-investment tax codes in the country.  We’ve helped create a tax-climate that is pro-small business.  Our ranking has climbed from 44th to 11th nationally.  And we’re fixing to do even better.

Steve Mensing:  In reading the most recent state budget (It’s huge) I noticed the folks putting that together created rainy day funds which is unusual.

Carl Ford: Yes the budget is fiscally responsible.  The Republicans planned a budget with a rainy day fund in mind.  $1.6 billion was earmarked of unexpected emergencies like Hurricane Matthew that just walloped our state.

Steve Mensing: A lot of folks are rightfully concerned about poor families in North Carolina.  What has our legislature and state senate done to create a climate so people can move on up?

Carl Ford: The number and percentage of families and children living in poverty decreased each year since 2013.  I believe Republicans helped create a state economy that works for everyone, getting people back to work and back on their feet.  North Carolina added more than 350,000 jobs and the number of unemployed in North Carolina is 45% lower.  We have the lowest unemployment rate in 9 years at just 4.6%.  That’s hundreds of thousands of our citizens relieved of the stress and anxiety of being out of work and now able to provide for their families.

Steve Mensing: How is North Carolina doing in the area of per capita income growth?  That’s an important marker.

Carl Ford: Our state experienced 10 consecutive quarters of per capita income growth equal to or greater than the national average, the best stretch of growth in 20 years.  Our economy is growing and so is personal income for our hardworking citizens.

Steve Mensing: I look forward to listening to “The Week in Politics” this Saturday.  I appreciate you taking the time today.

Carl Ford: Anytime Steve.

OpenDataPolicingNC.com

♦ Open Data Policing NC Reports on the Salisbury Police Department:

https://www.opendatapolicingnc.com/agency/241/

♦ Was “Salisbury Restaurant Morning Restaurant Out” on Monday?  A trio of restaurants, according to Salisbury Police Sources, were victimized by burglary–forcible entry within a hour of each other early Monday morning.  We reported the Outback Steakhouse at 1020 E. Innes yesterday.  Joining the Outback Steakhouse are Cici’s Pizza on 805 S. Jake Alexander Blvd. and the Palms Café on 1609 W. Innes Street.  All three were broken into with the same modus operandi: a brick through the glass front door.  In each case a white Chevvy Tahoe was seen driving away.  We hope to get post security cam photos when they become available.

Salisbury Police sources reported that the Palms Café, a favorite for Catawba College students and area residents, on West Innes reported being burglarized at 6:03 a.m.  $300 in cash “disappeared” and 4 cash registers were carried out the door.  Losses totaled estimated at $820 including the damaged front door.

Palms Café in Salisbury, N.C.:

Map of the Palms Café Location on 1609 W. Innes Street:

The two suspects in all three burglaries were described as young black males.

Suspect behind the counter at the Palm’s Café:

Suspect at Palm’s register:

Chevvy Tahoe outside of Palm’s Café:

Suspect at Palm’s Café:

RFP Staff

Citizens having any knowledge about this crime are urged to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect an award of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**This article will be updated as soon as more information arrives.**

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♦ Also on Monday morning Salisbury Police sources reported that Cici’s Pizza at 805 S. Jake Alexander Blvd (near Magic Mart) called 911 at 4:12 a.m. to report they were burgled.  Like the other two restaurants, their front door was shattered by a brick and a white Chevvy Tahoe SUV was seen leaving the area.

Cici’s front door glass was damaged and several miscellaneous items were stolen. The total estimated value was set $700.

Cici’s Pizza Salisbury, N.C.:

Map of Cici’s location on 805 S. Jake Alexander Blvd.:

Citizens having any knowledge about this crime are urged to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect an award of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**This article will be updated as soon as more information arrives.**

UNC-TV.Com

♦ Video: N.C. Gubernatorial Debate: McCrory vs. Cooper on October 11th, 2016:

RFP Staff

♦ Salisbury Police sources report that a lone white bandit drew a pistol on a cashier at the Circle K convenience store/Shell Station on 1015 E. Innes Street and forced her to stuff a bag with $153. The bandit ran out of the Circle K and took off West on East Innes. Although startled by the encounter, the female cashier was not injured. The Salisbury Police arrived a few minutes later.

The gunman was described as a nondescript white male about 6 feet tall, wearing all black clothes, a black hoodie sweatshirt, and a red bandanna covering his face.

The Circle K/Shell Station on 1015 E. Innes Street in Salisbury near the Blue Bay Seafood Restaurant:

Map Location of Circle K/Shell Station in Salisbury, N.C.

All morning officers investigated the crime scene. Earlier they questioned two female employees and took prints.

At this time no suspects have been named.

Citizens having any knowledge about this crime are urged to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect an award of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**This article will be updated as soon as more information arrives.**

RFP Staff

♦ The tide of violence appears rise weekly in Salisbury, N.C.  Seldom does a week go by without one or several shootings occurring.  Armed robberies, stabbings, beatings, and strong arm robberies fill up police reports.  To date 14 unsolved murders exist within the boundaries of Salisbury, N.C.

Salisbury Police sources reported an “all other shooting into an occupied property” occurred Monday at 43 N. Cedar Street where James McLaughlin, Jr., 73, lives.  At 8:18 p.m. police were called to his N. Cedar Street residence on the report of multiple gunshots being fired from a handgun into home by a stranger with bad intentions.  The motive for the shooting was not disclosed, but Mr. McLaughlin is known to his neighbors as someone who does not mince words about the crime in his community.

43 N. Cedar Street in Salisbury, N.C.:

Map of 43 N. Cedar Street:

Someone present in the house Monday suffered injuries during the shooting–the extent of the injuries was not revealed.

Bullets shattered a window and damaged a storm door. The estimated loss was $200.

The case remains under investigation. No arrests have been made.

Citizens having any knowledge about this crime are urged to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect an award of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**This article will be updated as soon as more information arrives.**

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♦ Salisbury Police sources reported that officers were dispatched to a reported “assault with a knife” in the 600 block of Elm Street on Monday at 8:30 p.m.  When the police arrived they found Orephus Kollie, 18, who lives in the 600 block of Elm Street, bleeding from severe lacerations from an acquaintance attacking him with a knife.  Mr. Kollie was transported to an area hospital where he was treated and released.

The 600 block of Elm Street in Salisbury, N.C.:

Map of the location of 600 block of Elm Street:

The case was closed due to Mr. Kollie declining prosecution.

RFP Staff/smallbusiness/Windstream.com/gig

♦ Windstream One Gig in China Grove, N.C. How Much for “One Gig” Business Class?:

http://smallbusiness.windstream.com/gig/

Gas Pump Ad for Windstream “One Gig”:

RFP Staff

♦ According to Salisbury Police sources a white male claiming to be armed with a knife and a threatening note held up the Walgreens on 705 W. Jake Alexander Boulevard Wednesday at 9 p.m. for a bag filled with an undisclosed amount of oxycodone pills, a powerful synthetic opioid painkiller aka “Hillbilly Heroin”.  Whenever and wherever a pharmacy in the Salisbury area is stuck-up, the favorite “request” is oxycodone.

Just before closing a white male with a salt and pepper beard, wearing a grey hoodie sweatshirt, dark pants, and a winter style cap (toboggan) walked immediately to the rear of Walgreens where he called over to a pharmacy tech and handed him a note that basically said if you don’t give me the oxycodone I’d start killing people.  The robber said he was armed with a knife.  The tech in turn passed the note to the pharmacist on duty.  For a moment or two the pair appeared to be moving too slowly for the robber who allegedly warned the pharmacist to hurry up or he’d start killing people.  The pharmacist placed an undisclosed amount of oxycodone pills in a bag and handed it to the robber.  Neither the pharmacist or the tech ever saw a weapon displayed.

The robber headed out of Walgreens to the rear of the building where he disappeared on foot into a wooded area off Mooresville Road.

Walgreens security cam still of the suspect:

Walgreens security cam still of the suspect entering the store:

The case remains under investigation. No suspects are named yet.

Walgreens at 705 W. Jake Alexander Blvd. in Salisbury, N.C.:

Map of Walgreens location in Salisbury:

Citizens having any knowledge about this crime are urged to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect an award of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**This article will be updated as soon as more information arrives.**

RFP Staff

♦  Sources in the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office reported that Ashley Damon Knecht AKA Ashley D. Hardin, 41, a much convicted felon from Kannapolis, Rowan County, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with sex crimes with a minor child.

Ashley Damon Knecht:

Knecht was charged with failure to appear/comply (misdemeanor), indecent liberties with children (felony) and first degree statutory rape (felony). Under a secured $100,000 bond, he is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Ashley Damon Knecht AKA Ashley D. Hardin’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0166069&searchLastName=Knecht&searchFirstName=Ashley&searchMiddleName=d&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

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♦ Rowan County Sheriff Office sources reported that Rocky Lee Cooper, 45, of Rowan County who was charged with 2 counts of failure to appear/comply (misdemeanor) and statutory rape (felony) this past July, was charged Wednesday with an additional sex crime with a child under 13 years of age.

Rocky Lee Cooper:

Cooper was charged Wednesday with first degree sexual offense (victim under 13) (felony). Under a secured $400,000 bond, he is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Rocky Lee Cooper’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=1125659&searchLastName=cooper&searchFirstName=rocky&searchMiddleName=l&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1