Leland man charged with raping pregnant woman during break-in

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Leland man is in jail without bond accused of breaking into a home and raping a pregnant woman.

The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office says Joel Fernandez, 28 of Shasta Lane in Leland, broke into the home in Leland between 10 and 11 p.m. Sunday. They say once inside, Fernandez allegedly raped a woman who was three months pregnant.

Fernandez is charged with first-degree burglary, injury to real property, assault by strangulation, battery of an unborn child, second degree rape and assault on a female.