Former Shallotte officer indicted on statutory rape charges

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A former Shallotte police officer was indicted by a grand jury in Brunswick County Monday on several sex offense charges.

Ashley Bullard with the District Attorney’s Office said Braxton Rushawn Strickland, 26, was an officer with the Shallotte Police Department. She said the SBI completed an investigation on Strickland.

Bullard said a grand jury indicted Strickland on six counts of statutory rape and three counts of indecent liberties with a child. Bullard said the incidents happened on June 1, 2012, October 26, 2012, and in October of 2013.

Shannon O’Toole with the SBI said that Strickland was a police officer at the time of the offenses.

Shallotte police chief Rodney Gause said Strickland was employed with the Shallotte Police Department from August 13, 2011 until May 14, 2015. Gause said the police department received a complaint on May 12.

“I immediately put him [Strickland] on unpaid leave and contacted the State Bureau of Investigation,” Gause said.

Strickland was put on an unpaid leave the next day. Strickland resigned May 14.

Strickland is in jail under a $1,275,000 bond.