A Clinton man has been arrested on felony charges of rape and indecent liberties following an investigation by the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, authorities said.
Kelvin Richard Gronau, 37, of 10641 Keener Road, Clinton, was charged with statutory rape and two counts of incidents liberties with a child. Gronau was taken into custody Thursday at the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office and served the charges, an arrest report filed at the office Friday revealed.
“The incident involved a teenage female victim and it was reported to law enforcement by a family member to investigate,” Sheriff’s Lt. Marcus Smith stated. “The suspect is a non-family member.”
Smith said he did not have any further details, as limited information is often given in such cases so as to protect the victims, especially those who are underage.
According to the N.C. Department of Public Safety, Gronau has a single conviction on his record from nine years ago. He received a suspended sentence and probation following a conviction in New Hanover County for assault attempting to inflict serious injury, a felony offense.
Gronau’s bond for the new charges was set at $140,000 secured. An initial court date was scheduled for Friday.