ROCKINGHAM — A Moore County man is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a teenager.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the agency received a report on April 9 from a parent who was concerned after reading text messages from their 16-year-old “that indicated a relationship with an adult.”
Following an investigation, warrants were obtained for the arrest of 44-year-old Joseph Laurence Bowden Jr. of Aberdeen.
Bowden was arrested, with help from the Aberdeen Police Department, on Monday, April 15. Records with the Richmond County Jail show he was booked at 7:59 p.m. and initially held without bond.
Investigators charged Bowden with four counts of taking indecent liberties with a child and three counts of statutory sex offense with a child 15 years old or younger. He was given a $250,000 secured bond on April 16.
Bowden is scheduled to appear in court April 18.
Online state records show Bowden has no other pending charges or prior convictions.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
