Russel Joseph Dispenza.Cherokee County, N.C., authorities have charged a 72-year-old Wolf Creek man with child sexual assault.
Russel Joseph Dispenza is charged on an indictment with statutory sex offense and two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child, Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer said in a statement.
Authorities received a complaint of a child sexual assault in January and then, working in conjunction with HAVEN Child Advocacy Center, the Cherokee County Department of Social Services and the Tennessee Department of Family and Children Services, an investigation was undertaken which identified Dispenza as suspect in the case, Palmer said.
The results of the investigation were presented to the September session of the Cherokee County Grand Jury which handed down indictments for statutory sex offense, and two counts indecent liberties with a child.
Dispenza is currently held at the Cherokee County Detention Center under a $100,000 secure bond. Dispenza is scheduled to appear in Cherokee County Superior Court on Nov. 7, 2016.
Palmer encourages anyone with information on this crime or any other to report it in Cherokee County by calling the anonymous tip line at 828-837-1344 or email a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov or call 911 if a crime is in progress.