For the third time in less than 30 days, the sheriff’s office has arrested a suspect for child sex abuse.
Andy Gene Strickland, 68, was arrested by Greenville, S.C. Police Feb. 20, according to a news release from the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office. He is being held under $1 million secured bond. Strickland faces three charges of taking indecent liberties with a minor.
The sheriff’s office said that Strickland is alleged to have had sexual contact with a child who name and gender were not released in 2023. The incidents are reported to have occurred in Cerro Gordo, the release said.
Earlier this week, in an unrelated case, the CCSO charged James Kirk Harrelson, 39, with first degree kidnaping and two counts of taking indecent liberties. He is alleged to have tied up a 12 year old female, gagged her, and raped her in Delco in 2021.
In January, Tiffany Charmin Norris of Shade Fisher Road as charged with statutory rape and indecent liberties with a minor. Warrants show that Norris, age 35, had vaginal intercourse with a 12 year old on multiple occasions in 2022. The sheriff’s office investigated the case. Her bond was set at $750,000.
Whiteville Police have made two arrests for child pornography this year, and Tabor City Police also charged a man with molesting two girls who were living in his home.
