Sheriff Darren Campbell stated on March 7, 2017 a female student reported to the school resource officer at North Iredell High School that a student was leaving school with a young male in the mornings and that they would stay gone until the end of school day.  During the investigation the resource officer was made aware that the female victim and the suspect had went to a location in the city of Statesville and the victim was sexually assaulted by the suspect.  The suspect was identified by the victim as Jaylen Dequan Minger from Gastonia North Carolina. The female victim was interviewed at the Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center.  The victim disclosed that she had left school with the suspect on numerous occasions and that she was sexually assaulted at a location in the city.  Detectives were able to obtain statements and information during the investigation. 

On March 17, 2017 warrants were issued by Iredell County Sheriff’s Office for the arrest of Jaylen Dequan Minger for 1 count of First Degree Kidnapping and 3 counts of Contributing to Delinquent of a Juvenile.  A warrant was also issued by Statesville Police Department for the arrest of Jaylen Dequan Minger for 1 count of Statutory Rape of a Child. 

On March 20, 2017 Jaylen was arrested by Gastonia Police Department where he received a 150,000.00 secure bond on all charges.