Date/Time of Offense: Saturday, July 16, 2022.

Offense(s)/Charge(s): Three Counts of Felony Statutory Rape of a Child by Adult

                                    Felony Kidnapping 

Location of Incident: Southeastern Iredell County

Suspect(s): Aaron Brandon Clark, 25 Years Old

                   205 Brookfield Drive

                   Statesville, North Carolina 28625

Sheriff Darren Campbell stated: On Saturday, July 16, 2022, at 8:54 am, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office received a call in regards to a missing 12-year-old. 

 When Road Patrol Deputies arrived on the scene, they spoke with the caller who said her granddaughter had left the residence sometime last night. The deputies learned by watching “Ring Doorbell” footage the young female had left the residence around midnight. Drones and the sheriff’s office bloodhounds were called to the scene to assist with the investigation.

 Upon further investigation, it was determined juvenile female had been speaking with an older male named Aaron. Aaron Brandon Clark, who is 25 years old, was identified as this person.

 Deputies circulating the area searching for the girl, located the female walking on Sardis Road, off of Mt. Ulla Highway. 

 While speaking with deputies, statements were made about the juvenile and Clark having engaged in sexual activity while she was away from the home.

 Aaron Brandon Clark was located and voluntarily interviewed by Special Victims Unit Investigators. During the interview, Clark admitted to meeting with and then driving the juvenile away from her residence, then having sexual contact with the juvenile.

Clark was taken to the Iredell County Detention Center where he was charged with: Three Counts of Felony Statutory Rape of a Child by an Adult and Felony Kidnapping. Clark appeared before Magistrate H. Callejas who issued a 1,000,000.00 dollar secured bond on these charges.

This case is still under investigation and additional charges could be pending.