Lincolnton Man Charged with Seven Counts of Statutory Rape

Yonathan Misael Paz Molina, a 22-year-old man living in Lincolnton, North Carolina and originally from Honduras, has been arrested and charged with seven felony counts of statutory rape of a 15-year-old girl who was living with him at the time. Investigators confirmed that Paz Molina and the girl are not related, and that she is not originally from North Carolina. Following his arrest, Paz Molina was held without bond at the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed an immigration detainer on him. The juvenile victim has been placed in the custody of Lincoln County Department of Social Services while the investigation continues. Authorities have not released additional details regarding the ongoing case.