PENDER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) – A Pender County man has pleaded guilty to first-degree statutory rape and first-degree statutory sex offense.
According to District Attorney (DA) Jason Smith’s Office, Jorge Salazar-Santiago sexually abused a relative starting when she was in the third grade and continued to physically and sexually assault her until she was in high school, when the abuse was reported.
Following the report, the Pender County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation, and the Carousel Center conducted multiple forensic interviews with the victim.
“A recorded phone call was made between the victim and Salazar-Santiago where he acknowledges having sex with the child,” the DA’s office stated. “When the Pender County Sheriff’s Office went to question Salazar-Santiago, he ran and was found by a K-9 Deputy hiding in the woods.”…