By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

ROWAN COUNTY — A Georgia man who used to live in Rowan County is accused of the 2011 rape of a then-14-year-old girl after meeting her in church here and developing a relationship.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Dalton Smallwood, 43, of Hedgewood Drive, Chickamauga, Ga., with five counts of felony indecent liberties with children, five counts of statutory rape of a child by person six years older, one count of felony first-degree sexual exploitation-use/employ a minor and one count of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

The girl, now about 19 years old and also living in another state, told her father about the relationship in June. The matter was reported to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office on July 2.

The victim said the incidents occurred between her and a then 30-something Smallwood at her home, his home and an abandoned house in the neighborhood where she lived in southern Rowan County, said Capt. John Sifford.

The victim said Smallwood was a family friend she met at a church that he and her family attended.

She kept a journal that corroborates details of the incidents. Authorities said Smallwood video-recorded these sexual encounters with the girl, and she was aware of the recordings.

Detectives do not believe Smallwood published any of the recordings. She is believed to be the only victim.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the girl and her father contacted Smallwood and he admitted to encounters with the girl five years ago.

Sifford said reports show the girl came forward while in a state of remorse about the encounters.

During the time the incidents occurred, Smallwood lived in Troutman. Iredell County authorities have also been contacted. Smallwood will likely face charges in Iredell County as well.

Smallwood remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $300,000 secured bond.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.