Lenoir County Sheriff's Office makes arrest in sexual assault case

In January 2020, the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office began an investigation into the reported sexual assault of a juvenile. Per our statutes and policies, as a sexual assault case and one that involves a juvenile, no details of the case will be released.

The Investigations Division conducted interviews and completed their case during which time they obtained enough evidence to secure warrants against the suspect, Cristian Cruz. During the investigation, the suspect fled the area to avoid charges. Due to our limited jurisdiction, the Sheriff's Office notified the United States Marshal Service of the active warrants and requested assistance in locating Cruz in the United States. After almost one year on the run, the US Marshal Service located Cruz in Bastrop, Texas just before Christmas 2020.

Sheriff Ronnie Ingram said, "the victim in this case can find some comfort in knowing that the perpetrator was caught. He will have to face the consequences of his actions in court. I am grateful to the US Marshal Service for the work in locating the suspect and bringing him back to face these charges in North Carolina."

Cruz was extradited to North Carolina and placed in the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office Detention Center on January 6, 2021. Cruz now awaits trial for the following charges:

103 felony counts of Statutory Rape of a Child

103 felony counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child

103 felony counts of sexual assault of a child

Cruz was given a $3,000,000.00 secured bond.