A Roseboro man was arrested over the weekend, charged with taking indecent liberties with a child, an incident that reportedly took place earlier this year.

Thomas Tilton Pope, 31, of 140 Barbara Cooper Lane, Roseboro, was placed under a $3,000 bond and given a trial date of Nov. 13 by Magistrate C. Price. He was released the same day.

According to reports, Pope allegedly grabbed a 13-year-old in an inappropriate place on her body, a move that set the initial investigation into motion. The incident reportedly took place in June and was reported to Sampson County investigators in mid-to-late October.

Officers said that the initial investigation began as a “statutory rape” probe, but was deemed to be better suited for an indecent liberties charge as the investigation progressed.

It was not clear if the child knew Pope. Investigators with the Sheriff’s Department refused to discuss any additional information about the incident to protect the identity of the child and her relatives.

According to the North Carolina Department of Corrections, Pope has a history of convictions dating back to 1995, including assault inflicting serious bodily injury (2002); felony breaking and entering (2003); misdemeanor breaking and entering (1997); and simple affray, possession of weapon on school campus and communicating threats (1995).

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.