Shelby men allegedly used social media to molest teen

Star - 2/13/2021

Feb. 13—Investigators say social media allowed at least three men to manipulate a teenage girl into participating in sex acts with them.

Those three men were arrested earlier this week and charged with various sex crimes against a minor. More arrests are forthcoming, according to detective Matt Sadler with the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office.

Here's what Sadler said happened with the 14-year-old girls and these alleged sexual predators.

Dorian Malik Allen, 22, of Shelby, had the girl preform a sex act on him between October and November of 2020.

He is charged with crime against nature, statutory sexual offense by an adult and indecent liberties with a child. Allen is being held in Cleveland County jail on a $100,000 bond.

Jalen Rhodes Brown, 27, also of Shelby, is charged with human trafficking child victim, statutory rape and indecent liberties with a child.

According to arrest warrants, Brown picked up the young teen and drove her to his house to have sex.

Sadler said the human trafficking charge was appropriate because Brown allegedly transported the girl from one location to the next with the intent to commit sexual acts.

He is being held on a $250,000 bond.

Travis Bernard Camp, 21, of Shelby, has been charged with statutory rape of a child. He is being held on a $250,000, with an additional $15,000 tacked on for a probation violation.

Sadler said social media and technology advances had a lot to do with the girl being able to be victimized.

"Social media and electronics these days are advancing well beyond what the parents can comprehend, so these kids are able to do these things without the parents knowing about it," he said.

Sadler cautioned about social media and personas people can create. He said youngsters can be manipulated, and parents can shy away from prying for fear of overstepping boundaries.

"I would encourage every parent to take the kid's phone periodically, unannounced. See what's going on in your kid's life because they can lead a parallel life," he said.

Sadler went on to say that people should take caution when blaming a young teen or his or her parents, many factors play into such a terrible situation. He commended the teenager's parents for contacting the Sheriff's Office when they discovered the questionable texts.

"Thankfully they contacted us, and we were able to put a stop to it," Sadler said.

Diane Turbyfill can be reached at 704-669-3334 and dturbyfill@shelbystar.com.

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