Sheriff Darren Campbell stated on December 19, 2016 Deputy David Price of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit attempted to locate and verify an address on a registered sex offender Mr. Christopher Balentine. Deputy Price made several attempts to locate Mr. Balentine at this address in the previous weeks but had been unable to locate him thus far. Deputy Price attempted to locate the suspect again and observed the residence appeared to be vacant, and Mr. Balentine was nowhere to be found. Since Mr. Balentine had not notified anyone at the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office that he had moved or was staying somewhere else, Deputy Price began an investigation as to his whereabouts. Through this investigation Deputy Price was able to determine Mr. Balentine’s water had been turned off and his meter box had been removed from the residence by the power company for failing to pay his bill. It was also learned the residence was up for sale and in danger of being foreclosed on. Taking all these factors in to consideration Deputy Price charged Mr. Balentine with failing to notify change of address.

On 04/17/2017 Mr. Balentine was located and arrested by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Special Victim’s Unit. He was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center and taken before Magistrate Chambers. Mr. Balentine was given a $5000.00 secured bond.

Prior convictions include: five counts of 2nd Degree Rape, three counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child, and DWI.