Trial for former Pender deputy ends in hung jury

WILMINGTON, NC (Star News) — The trial of a former Pender County deputy accused of molesting a woman involved in a domestic dispute ended in a hung jury on Friday.

Melvin Acevedo, 29, was charged with assault on a female, willful failure to discharge duties and sexual battery in the July 22, 2016, incident.

According to testimony given during a motion hearing in Pender County Superior Court on Feb. 26, the incident allegedly took place when Acevedo responded to a report of a domestic dispute.

Pender County Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Steve Clinard said that while Acevedo was on scene and alone with the woman, he allegedly “examined” her for injuries by lifting the back of her shirt and asking her to lift the front of her shirt.

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