Reprinted with permission from the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald

A Rich Square man has been arrested and charged for allegedly sexually abusing two children.

On Tuesday afternoon, Thomas Wilson Williams, 56, of 328 Lincoln Park, Rich Square, was taken into custody by the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office.

NCSO Chief Detective Captain D.M. Harmon said Williams was charged with two counts of indecent liberties with children.

“These charges stem from an alleged child sexual abuse report received from the Northampton County DSS (Department of Social Services),” said Harmon. “Both victims in the case were sent to the Tedi Bear Children’s Advocacy Center in Greenville for evaluations.”

Williams was given a $75,000 secured bond and placed in the Northampton County Jail.

According to the North Carolina Department of Corrections, Williams has two previous convictions for assault on a female in Bertie County.

Reprinted with permission from the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald

A Jackson man has been arrested after a sexual assault occurred on the Chowan University campus.

According to a statement released by Chowan University officials, at 3:14 a.m. on Monday Chowan University Public Safety received a call that an assault was taking place on campus.

A Public Safety Officer immediately responded to the scene and pursued the alleged assailant.

“Due to the cooperative work of Public Safety and the Murfreesboro Police Department the alleged assailant was detained and arrested at 3:34 a.m.,” the statement reads.

The suspect is identified as Andre Jerome Howard, 26, of Ransom Street in Jackson. The statement said Howard is not related to Chowan University in any way.

Howard was charged with first degree rape, first degree kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon.

Howard was taken to the Hertford County Jail where he was placed on a $100,000 cash bond.

“The victim was treated at a local hospital and returned to campus,” the statement closes. “Chowan University deeply appreciates the prompt response of the Murfreesboro Police Department in this incident.”

Murfreesboro Police Chief Darrell Rowe commended officers for apprehending the suspect quickly.

“Although this happened, I am proud the subject was in custody in less than an hour,” he said.

According to the North Carolina Department of Corrections, Howard has a list of convictions dating back to 2000 and among those convictions are assault with a deadly weapon and simple assault/affray.

The man charged in the 2006 shooting death of Roanoke Rapids businessman Shelby Salmon was charged Wednesday with assaulting an inmate in the county jail.

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Another person was in the house at 85 Mobley Street when Michael Wayne Davis was beaten to death with a sharpened object Sunday morning.

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Weldon police continue to investigate the February 20 armed robbery of the Blue Flame.

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