Update Saturday 7:00 a.m. — According to the Leland Police Department Joel Michael Rouse has been arrested and is currently being held on a $1,000,000 secured bond in the Brunswick County Detention Center.
LELAND — Police are searching for a man wanted on numerous counts of sexual offense and indecent liberties.
The Leland Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance to find Joel Michael Rouse, 42, of Mermaid Watch Court in Leland.
Rouse is wanted for a host of charges, including 3 counts each of 2nd-degree forcible sexual offense, 1st-degree statutory sexual offense with a 13-15-year-old, and indecent liberties with a child.
The 2nd-degree forcible sexual offense, commonly referred to as rape, is differentiated from 1st-degree offenses because, while they do involve force and are committed against the will of the victim, they do not involve deadly weapons or a second person, and do not result in serious bodily harm.
Leland Police ask that anyone who sees Rouse contact their local law enforcement, or call 911.
