Victor James Clark
Stecoah – A 20-year-old county resident was arrested April 15 and charged with three felonious sexual acts involving a minor.
Victor James Clark of 454 Dry Creek Road is currently being held without bond in the Graham County Detention Center after being charged with statutory rape of a child at the age of 15; indecent liberties with a child; and felonious restraint.
Police records indicate that on Aug. 1, Clark picked up the 15-year-old minor – who will not be named in this report – from her home, which was just over five miles from his listed address. The report indicates that Clark did so "without the consent of her parent or legal guardian."
It is unclear from the report where the statutory rape or indecent liberties occurred, but both are violations of state statutes. Even if consensual, engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor is illegal in North Carolina and can result in criminal charges being assessed.
The age of consent in North Carolina is 16.
Clark has been ordered to have no contact with the minor, through any means. His next court appearance is set for 8:30 a.m., Friday, May 1.
Failure to report
Robbinsville – A registered sex offender was also arrested April 15 for failing to notify the Graham County Sheriff's Office that he was living at a new address.
Joshua Edward Jumper, 39 of 2356 Tallulah Road, was charged with two counts of failure to register as a sex offender and one count of sex offender residence violation – all felonies – after it was discovered he was residing at 301 Moose Branch Road, Apartment 5C. The complex is within 1,000 feet of both Robbinsville Elementary School and A Kid's Place, which is a childcare center.
During Jumper's arrest, he was also found to be in possession of alleged methamphetamine – leading to another felony charge – as well as buprenorphine hydrochloride and naloxone hydrochloride (commonly known as Sublingual), which resulted in a misdemeanor charge of simple possession of a schedule III controlled substance.
Jumper also remains in custody. He is a registered offender for two counts of indecent liberties with a minor in Cherokee, with the two incidents taking place Sept. 18 and Oct. 10, 2002. He was convicted May 13, 2003 and released Oct. 10, 2003.
At the time of the incidents, Jumper was 16 and the minor was eight.