Wolf Creek Man Arrested for Child Sexual Assault

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— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the October 3rd, 2016 arrest of 72-year-old Russel Joseph Dispenza on charges involving allegations of Sex Offenses with a child.

During the month of January 2016, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of a child sexual assault. 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. The investigation was presented to the September setting of the Cherokee County Grand Jury which handed down indictments for Statutory Sex Offense, and two counts Indecent Liberties with a Child.

Dispenza was arrested on the indictments and is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center under a $100,000 secure bond. Dispenza is expected to be in Cherokee County Superior Court on November 7th, 2016.

Because of the sensitive nature of the crime reported, no further press releases will be made concerning this case.

​Sheriff Palmer encourages anyone that has information on this crime or any other to report it. To report crime in Cherokee County you can 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

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