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On Jan. 26, 2023, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a sexual assault that occurred at a residence on Ricks Street in Washington, NC. The Sheriff’s Office began an investigation and collected evidence.

As a result of the investigation, Detectives charged Michael Lee Jones, age 42, of Lary Mills Road in Vanceboro with one count of Second Degree Forcible Rape and one count of First Degree Kidnapping.

On Feb. 1, 2023, Jones was taken into custody by Beaufort County Sheriff’s Deputies and taken before Magistrate Steve Gibson and held in the Beaufort County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond.

On Feb. 2, 2023, Jones’ bond was increased to a $50,000 secured bond by a District Court Judge during his first appearance.