Exclusive: Rutherford County Detention Officer Arrested on Extortion, Harassment Charges

Sheriff Ellenburg says charges not related to officer’s job; WCAB News awaiting county records request

A detention officer with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges that court records describe as involving threats, sexually explicit images, and nearly 60 harassing phone calls.

Fred Eugene Holland, 50, of Shelby, was arrested Aug. 28 after Cary police sought multiple warrants. He was booked at the Polk County Detention Center following his local arrest and has since been released on a $20,000 secured bond.

Sheriff Aaron Ellenburg confirmed the arrest and emphasized the case “was not related to his job.” Holland has since been fired. Records show Holland made over $52,000 as a night shift corporal, according to a public records request obtained earlier this year for a list of all county employees and their salaries.

Ellenburg also told WCAB News that he has terminated other detention center staff members since taking office, but could not provide further details, citing restrictions under North Carolina law.

WCAB News filed a public records request this week seeking information about Holland’s current employment status and prior staff dismissals under Ellenburg. As of press time, Rutherford County government had not filled the request.

Court documents in Wake County District Court outline the accusations against Holland in detail:

• Count 1 – Extortion (Felony): Holland is accused of threatening Jane Moore with the intent to force “an intimate relationship by sending private images and images of sexual acts of the victim to friends, family, and employer.”

• Count 2 – Misdemeanor Stalking: Records say Holland harassed Moore “by nonstop texting, threatening to disseminate private images and calling approximately 59 times,” causing a reasonable fear for her safety.

• Count 3 – Harassing Phone Call: Holland is accused of repeatedly calling Moore “for the purpose of annoying, harassing, [and] embarrassing” her.

  
  

Court records show Holland initially retained private counsel but was later appointed a public defender after submitting an affidavit of indigency. He is scheduled to appear at a disposition hearing on Sept. 19 in Wake District Court.