The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation into the reported sexual assault of a juvenile in January of 2020.  That led to warrants being secured on Cristian Cruz, who allegedly fled the area to avoid the charges.

After nearly one year on the run, the U.S. Marshals Service located Cruz in Bastrop, Texas just before Christmas.  Cruz was extradited back to North Carolina earlier this month.  He’s being held at the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center under a $3 million secured bond.

Cruz now awaits trial for the following charges:

• 103 felony counts of Statutory Rape of a Child
• 103 felony counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child
• 103 felony counts of Sexual Assault of a Child