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Man accused of molesting teen arrested

Gaston Gazette - 6/20/2020

A Lincolnton man accused of molesting a teenager then going on the lam has been arrested.

Phillip Grady Morrison was expected in Cleveland County Superior Court for a hearing in February. When his name was called, attorneys said they didn't know where he was. Since then law enforcement has been on the look out for the man with charges ranging from first-degree forcible sex offense to animal cruelty.

Morrison is accused of kidnapping a teenager he knew and sexually assaulting her in various locations on Aug. 18, 2019, according to court records. On the same day, investigators believe he also stole a pit bull from another woman and left it sitting in a hot car.

Court records indicate these allegation came just four months after he was released from probation.

Before his February court date, his girlfriend reported him missing to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. He'd allegedly left with her vehicle and never returned.

Morrison was found safe in Mississippi but at the time there was no order for arrest out on him, so he was free to go.

The 46 year old was apprehended Thursday night.

He faces seven counts of first-degree forcible sex offense, three counts of indecent liberties with a child, first-degree kidnapping, cruelty to animals and larceny of a dog.

Morrison is in Cleveland County Jail on no bond.

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