An accused child molester was in jail within hours after allegations against him were reported, and he remains in the Fannin County Detention Center without bond.
Alfredo Pantoja, 43, of Allen Road, Morganton, was arrested Tuesday, September 10, by Fannin County Sheriff’s Office investigators on two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Since then, he has also been charged with two counts of aggravated child molestation, child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, sodomy, possession of a firearm during commission of a crime, two counts of sexual battery and simple battery.
Bond was denied by Chief Magistrate Judge Brian Jones.
Fannin County Investigator Capt. Justin Turner said the sheriff’s office received a complaint about the alleged molestation from a member of the victim’s family September 10. That information included that the victim, described as middle school aged, knew their attacker.
Investigators uncovered information indicating that Pantoja was a convicted felon and was in the possession of firearms. From that information, a search warrant was obtained for the suspect’s residence and he was arrested on the firearms charges.
Corroborating evidence discovered by Investigator Scott Galloway of the sheriff’s office and a forensic interview at the Appalachian Children’s Center resulted in the additional charges.