ELIZABETHTOWN — A Garland man was arrested Thursday and charged with several sex crimes against a child.

B;laden County Sheriff Jim McVicker said the arrest of Enrique Penaloza Maldonado, 38, was the result of an extensive investigation by Investigator Greg Bullard of the Sheriff’s Office.

“We take any allegation of sexual or physical abuse of a minor very seriously,” said McVicker. “Cases like this get the highest of priorities. I am glad we were able to make an arrest in this case. Hopefully no other child will be molested by this man.”

Maldonado was charged with one count of crime against nature, one count of statutory rape of a child by an adult, one count of statutory sex offense with a child, one count of sexual act by a substitute parent and one count of an attempt of the same crime. Maldonado was also charged with taking indecent liberties with a child.

Maldonado remains in the Bladen County Jail under a $500,000 secured bond.

Staff report