SALISBURY — A local bishop has been charged with rape after a three-month investigation by the Salisbury Police Department.
Bishop Michael Lee King was arrested on Tuesday at approximately 5:00 p.m. and charged with one count of indecent liberties with a minor, one county of second-degree rape and one count of rape by a custodian.
The charges are the result of a three-month investigation into reports of child abuse involving King, according to a release from the department.. The incidents allegedly occurred at multiple locations, including the Damascus Emmanuel Pentecostal Church in East Spencer.
“The hard work of our investigators in bringing this case forward deserves recognition. At the same time, it is profoundly concerning when a person in a position of trust is accused of violating that trust,” said Salisbury Police Chief P.J. Smith.
King was booked into the Rowan County Detention Center and is currently being held on no bond due to the nature of the charges.
The department has reportedly identified one victim to date and is asking anyone who may have been victimized by King or has additional information to contact Detective McDaniel at 704-638-5333, the department’s main line at 704-638-5211, or by email at investigations@salisburync.gov
