Marine recruiter charged with sexually assaulting two recruits

Published 12:00 am Saturday, January 26, 2013

SALISBURY — A Marine recruiter based in Salisbury has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting two young female recruits.
Sgt. Derek Craig Percival, 24, of 6206 Grandeur Drive in Salisbury, is charged with attempted second degree rape, false imprisonment, communicating threats, sexual servitude of a child victim and two counts of sexual battery.
Investigators from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and Salisbury Police Department on Thursday began a joint investigation into complaints that Percival assaulted one woman at the Salisbury Marine Recruiting Office on Arlington Street and another woman at the suspect’s apartment on Grandeur Drive, off Julian Road.
Sheriff’s office and police detectives continued the investigation on Friday and contacted the U.S. Marine Corp. about the allegations. Percival met both victims through his Marine recruiter duties, authorities said.
Percival was arrested this morning at his home. He was placed under $100,000 bond in the Rowan County Detention Center.
The Marines are aware of the arrest and have notified their own investigators, local authorities said. 
Anyone with more information about this investigation should contact investigators at the either the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office at 704-216-8700 or the Salisbury Police Department at 704-638-5333.