Gaston Police Officer Arrested After SBI Steps In at Halifax County’s Request
ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. — A North Carolina police officer is behind bars after state investigators stepped in to probe serious allegations involving a minor.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) confirmed Thursday that Roderick Lamar Howard, 34, of Roanoke Rapids, has been arrested and charged with one count of statutory rape following a request for assistance from the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the SBI, deputies reached out on Wednesday asking the agency to take over an investigation involving a police officer employed by the Town of Gaston.
Investigators say the alleged victim in the case is under the age of 13, and court records indicate the incident is believed to have occurred on January 1, 2018.
Howard was taken into custody and processed at the Halifax County Detention Center, where officials say he is currently being held without bond while awaiting his first court appearance.
Gaston Police Officer Arrested
The SBI has not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the allegations, and it remains unclear whether Howard was on duty or acting in an official capacity at the time of the alleged incident.
This case remains under investigation.
