Exclusive: Statesville Man Faces Seven Felony Counts in Rutherfordton

A Statesville man is charged with seven felony counts of indecent liberties with a child in a case that stands out because the public arrest warrants identify the minor victims by name. 

John Wesley Campbell III was charged Feb. 19, 2026, in Rutherford County District Court records obtained by WCAB News. The seven counts involve three children under the age of 16 and allege offenses occurring between February 2023 and November 2025.

The warrants were issued based on sworn information provided by Lt. Freddie Euten of the Rutherfordton Police Department. The charging documents, which are public records, list the names of the juvenile victims — an unusual step in cases involving alleged offenses against children. News organizations typically do not publish the names of minors in such cases, and WCAB News is not doing so here.

The charges cite alleged felony offenses that apply when a person at least 16 years old and at least five years older than a child under 16 allegedly takes indecent liberties with that child.

Campbell was arrested Feb. 21. A magistrate set a $100,000 secured bond and ordered no contact of any kind with the alleged victims. Court findings attached to the release order said, "Def(endant) has no prior criminal record, 20 year resident of Iredell County and retired military."

A booking photo was not immediately available through the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office mobile app. The address listed for Campbell in court records is a motel in Statesville.

According to North Carolina eCourts records, Campbell is scheduled to appear in Rutherford County District Court on Feb. 24.

The charges are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.