Angie Gladden
Meadow Branch – A local resident allegedly tried to coerce a victim of sexual abuse during an investigation concerning the crime.
Angie Gladden, 55 of a Farley Branch Road address, was arrested shortly after midnight Feb. 13 and charged with one felony count of obstructing justice. Sgt. Jordan Collins with the Graham County Sheriff’s Office filed a warrant that accused Gladden of attempting to get the victim to change her statements to authorities regarding alleged sexual abuse by 42-year-old Joseph Dillon Aldridge, who was arrested shortly after a true bill of indictment was issued Dec. 15 on three counts of statutory sex offense with a child by an adult, as well as one count of indecent liberties with a child.
A warrant for his Sept. 22 arrest in connection with the case notes that the alleged abuse took place between May-August 2020. Authorities later revealed the female minor was age 6 at the time the alleged offenses took place. The charges were initially dismissed, in order for the sheriff’s office could gather more information.
Gladden posted a $2,500 secured bond shortly after being booked into the Graham County Detention Center.
She is scheduled to appear in court Monday, April 29.