By Glenn Harbison ,glenn@thenewsobserver.com
Man on ICE hold, also facing sex charge in Cherokee County
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Eduardo Zepedea, 32, of 201 Millsaps Circle in Epworth, remains in the Fannin County Jail facing local charges, charges out of Cherokee County, N.C., and a hold by U.S. Immigrations & Customs Enforcement.
Zepedea was arrested on the morning of June 26 by Fannin County sheriff’s Deputy Sheriff Kaylee Robertson on charges of kidnapping and child molestation. Warrants accusing Zepedea of those crimes were taken out by Blue Ridge police Investigator R.T. Henry.
Zepedea is accused of assaulting a girl under age 16 at a local business. The suspect is known to his victim, Henry said.
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Warrants indicate the attack took place in May. The suspect was denied bond following his arrest.
When Investigator Jessica Parks of District Attorney Frank Wood’s office checked Zepedea’s criminal record, she discovered an open case in Cherokee County. According to court documents, Zepedea was arrested on Dec. 19, 2012, and charged with indecent liberties with a child.
Zepedea was 19 at the time. His arrest report listed him with a Murphy, N.C., address, but as a non-resident, having been born in Mexico.
Zepedea was released on a $10,000, unsecured bond while awaiting a Jan. 3, 2013, court date. While out on bond, authorities could not find Zepedea and believed he fled back to Mexico.
After confirming the open case, Parks confirmed with Cherokee County authorities that they still wanted Zepedea back to stand trial. He is under a hold in the Fannin County Jail to be returned to Cherokee
County any time he is released.
Henry said Cherokee County authorities did not know Zepedea was here until the case came up.
It was Parks’ effort that alerted them.
Zepedea’s arrest has also resulted in the ICE hold.