Sheriff Darren Campbell stated: On Wednesday, August 12, 2020, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by North Carolina Probation Officers in Yadkin County, and requested to assist them with checking a residence at 119 Anthony Road, in Hamptonville.

The deputies were further informed a female, along with her 3 month old child were being held against her will at the address by Dexter Lynn Whitaker, who had recently been placed on probation in Yadkin County for an incident where he had kidnapped the same victim. It was confirmed through a criminal justice data system search, there was an active Domestic Violence Protective Order in effect Dexter Whitaker taken out by the victim.  

Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputies N. Hodges and C. Metcalf along with Yadkin County Probation Officers went to the residence.

When the officers arrived at the home, they made contact with Dexter Whitaker who told the officers the female was not at the residence, and he had not seen in approximately two weeks.  

While the deputies and probation officers were searching the residence, items belonging to the female were located which led officers to further believe she and the child were somewhere on the property.

After an extensive search of the property, the officers located the female in the woods behind the residence holding the three-month-old child.

The victim had apparent signs of an assault, and was bruised. The victim was interviewed on scene by the deputies, had learned she and the child been held captive at the residence for approximately three days after the assault had occurred. She went on to say she was hiding in the woods at the direction of Whitaker. The child was unharmed.

Dexter Lynn Whitaker was arrested, and taken to the Iredell County Detention Center. Whitaker was charged with: Felony First Degree Kidnapping, Felony Assault Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury, Felony Domestic Violence Protective Order Violation, Misdemeanor Interfering with Emergency Communications, Misdemeanor Assault on a Female, Misdemeanor Child Abuse

and Misdemeanor Resisting a Public Officer.

Magistrate R. Imes placed Whitaker under a 605,000.00 dollar secured bond.

Dexter Lynn Whitaker, 29 Years Old

119 Anthony Road

Hamptonville, North Carolina 27020

605,000.00 DOLLARS SECURED BOND.

Criminal history: Misdemeanor False Report to a Police Station, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Protection Order Violation, Misdemeanor Maintain a Vehicle for the Use or Sale of a Controlled Substance, Felony Restraint, Misdemeanor Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

Whitaker is currently on probation for; Misdemeanor Assault on a Female, Misdemeanor Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Felonious Restraint.