Spotlight Morganton man charged with raping child; placed under $1 million bond FROM STAFF REPORTS Apr 27, 2026 Apr 27, 2026 Updated Apr 27, 2026 0 Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save A Morganton man is in jail under a $1 million bond after being charged with raping a child. Smith Photo contributed, BCSO kAm|:4926= v2G:? $>:E9[ c_[ @7 y6?<:?D #@25[ |@C82?E@?[ H2D 492C865 @? pAC:= a` H:E9 EH@ 4@F?ED @7 76=@?J DE2EFE@CJ C2A6 @7 2 49:=5 3J 2? 25F=E[ EH@ 4@F?ED @7 76=@?J 7:CDE\568C66 DE2EFE@CJ D6I @776?D6[ EH@ 4@F?ED @7 76=@?J :?5646?E =:36CE:6D H:E9 2 49:=5 2?5 EH@ 4@F?ED @7 76=@?J :?46DE]k^AmkAm%96 qFC<6 r@F?EJ $96C:77’D ~77:46 D2:5 :E C646:G65 2 C6A@CE @7 2 D6IF2= 2DD2F=E @? pAC:= `c] p7E6C 2? :?G6DE:82E:@?[ H2CC2?ED H6C6 :DDF65 7@C $>:E9]k^Am kAm$>:E9 H2D 7@F?5 :? r2E2H32 r@F?EJ[ 2CC6DE65 2?5 E2<6? E@ E96 qFC<6 r@F?EJ |28:DEC2E6’D ~77:46[ H96C6 96 H2D D6CG65 H:E9 E96 H2CC2?E] w6 H2D :?:E:2==J :DDF65 ?@ 3@?5[ 2 C6=62D6 7C@> E96 D96C:77VD @77:46 D2:5]k^Am People are also reading… Update: Old Fort man killed in motorcycle crash on I-40 identified 1 person killed in motorcycle crash on I-40 eastbound near Old Fort Walt Bagwell named Marion’s Main Street Champion. "His contributions make a meaningful difference." McDowell County Schools alum went from Battle of Books to biomedical engineering This new spot in Marion is offering locally grown food and beer, run by farmers and a brewer This WNC family lost their home in Hurricane Helene. 19 months later, they're getting a new one. McDowell high school victim testified before former guidance counselor pleads guilty to sex crimes Morganton man charged with raping child; placed under $1 million bond City of Marion issues water shortage advisory due to drought McDowell County Sheriff’s Office searching for missing classic car 5 questions answered about the trial of former McDowell High counselor Jessica Finley Ingles board fight: Proxy advisors back Sackler-linked firm for board Trump safe after being rushed from White House correspondents dinner; shooter in custody U.S. Department of Agriculture declares 2026 drought a disaster for western NC McDowell Tech update in Old Fort highlights gains, facility updates kAmpE 9:D 4@FCE 2AA62C2?46 @? %9FCD52J[ 2 ;F586 D6E 2 S` >:==:@? D64FC65 3@?5 2?5 D4965F=65 9:D ?6IE 4@FCE 52E6 7@C |2J `c[ E96 C6=62D6 D2:5]k^AmkAm$>:E9 2=D@ H2D 492C865 pAC:= `c H:E9 4@>>F?:42E:?8 E9C62ED[ 244@C5:?8 E@ 4@FCE C64@C5D]k^AmkAmr@FCE C64@C5D D2J :7 $>:E9 H6C6 E@ >2<6 3@?5[ 2? 6=64EC@?:4 >@?:E@C:?8 56G:46 H@F=5 36 AFE @? 9:> 367@C6 96 :D C6=62D65] w6 2=D@ H@F=5 36 32CC65 7C@> 92G:?8 2?J 4@?E24E H:E9 E96 G:4E:>[ :?4=F5:?8 E9C@F89 6=64EC@?:4 56G:46D @C 72>:=J @C 7C:6?5]k^Am kAmx? 255:E:@? E@ E96 qFC<6 r@F?EJ $96C:77VD ~77:46[ @E96C 286?4:6D :?G@=G65 :? E96 42D6 2C6 E96 qFC<6 r@F?EJ s6A2CE>6?E @7 $@4:2= $6CG:46D[ qFC<6 r9:=5C6?’D p5G@424J r6?E6C[ r2E2H32 r@F?EJ $96C:77’D ~77:46 2?5 w:4<@CJ !@=:46 s6A2CE>6?E[ D96C:77VD @77:46 D2:5]k^Am 0 Comments Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Most Popular McDowell high school victim testified before former guidance counselor pleads guilty to sex crimes “A predator was lurking behind the walls of the counseling office, waiting for a victim,” the victim's sister said. McDowell County Sheriff’s Office searching for missing classic car It was last seen parked in the owner’s garage off Bethel Church Road on Thursday, April 16. 5 questions answered about the trial of former McDowell High counselor Jessica Finley The case went to trial last week. Testimony began April 15. After the victim testified in court on Thursday, Jessica Patrick Finley pleaded gu… Old Fort man charged with threatening clerk of court in McDowell County The warrant includes explicit language describing the statements allegedly made by the man. Watch Now: Related Video Jimmy Kimmel Breaks His Silence On Donald And Melania Trump Demanding His Firing Justice Department pushes to end White House ballroom lawsuit Justice Department pushes to end White House ballroom lawsuit Merz Says US 'Humiliated' By Iran Amid War Criticism. Merz Says US 'Humiliated' By Iran Amid War Criticism. Suspect Charged in Alleged Assassination Attempt on Trump at Washington Event. Suspect Charged in Alleged Assassination Attempt on Trump at Washington Event. Recommended for you
McDowell high school victim testified before former guidance counselor pleads guilty to sex crimes “A predator was lurking behind the walls of the counseling office, waiting for a victim,” the victim's sister said.
McDowell County Sheriff’s Office searching for missing classic car It was last seen parked in the owner’s garage off Bethel Church Road on Thursday, April 16.
5 questions answered about the trial of former McDowell High counselor Jessica Finley The case went to trial last week. Testimony began April 15. After the victim testified in court on Thursday, Jessica Patrick Finley pleaded gu…
Old Fort man charged with threatening clerk of court in McDowell County The warrant includes explicit language describing the statements allegedly made by the man.
