Third arrest this year for absconding sex offender

The following press release has been issued by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Murphy, NC— Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the July 31st, 2015 arrest of Bruce Frederick Caldwell, a 40 year old Murphy, North Carolina man for violations of the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry.

Registered sex offender Bruce Caldwell came to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office on June 25, 2015 and provided information that he was changing his address to underneath a bridge in Andrews, North Carolina as he was homeless and had no other place to go.

During the early part of July 2015, Caldwell apparently moved and did not provide an address to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office as required. Caldwell had been arrested twice previously for failing to report a change of address. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Caldwell.

Caldwell was arrested and booked through the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office where he was given a $10,000.00 secure bond. Caldwell was able to post the bond and is expected to be in Cherokee County District Court on August 19, 2015

Court records indicate that Caldwell was convicted in Florida in 1994 to two separate child sexual assaults; Attempted Lewd Sexual Battery and Lewd Lascivious or Indecent Assault or Act upon a Child. Both convictions are reportable convictions and as such require Caldwell to register for a lifetime.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “The Sex Offender Registry helps ensure the safety of our community. Since January of this year Mr. Caldwell has been arrested three times for what appears to be a total disregard to those laws. I want to assure Mr. Caldwell and the community we will remain vigilant in our statutory duties to continue to keep our community a great place to live.” 

To report crime in Cherokee County, call the anonymous tip line at 828-837-1344 or email a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov or call 911 if you observe a crime in progress.