CHINA GROVE ó A Rockwell man has been charged with seven felony sex charges involving a group home resident.
Merritt Cornelius Banks, 52, of 204 Tryon Road, Rockwell, was charged Wednesday afternoon with four counts of second-degree rape and three counts of second-degree sexual offense.
China Grove Police Chief Hodge Coffield said the investigation began in December when the manager of a group home complained about Banks having repeated contact with a mentally disabled resident.
Banks was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center under $100,000 bond with his first appearance hearing set today in Rowan County District Court.