Union County, NC Crime: Man Sentenced to 18-26 Years

Monroe, NC – A man will spend at least 18 years in prison after pleading guilty Monday to a statutory sex offense involving a child age 15 or younger in Union County, authorities announced Tuesday.

According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Marcellus Moreno pleaded guilty Monday, Sept. 28, to statutory sex offense with a child 15 or younger.

Moreno received a minimum sentence of 216 months and a maximum of 320 months in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. That amounts to a sentencing range of 18 years to approximately 26 years and eight months.

The sheriff’s office said Moreno will also be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his natural life following his eventual release from custody.

Authorities did not provide additional details in Tuesday’s announcement about when the underlying offense occurred, the age of the victim beyond the statutory charge or when Moreno was originally arrested.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office credited its detectives and the Union County District Attorney’s Office for carrying the case from the initial investigation through the court proceedings.

Sheriff’s officials said detectives investigated the allegations and gathered evidence before prosecutors handled the case in court.

Monday’s guilty plea means the case concluded without a trial on the charge identified by the sheriff’s office.

The sentence places Moreno in the custody of the state Department of Adult Correction for no less than 216 months. His precise release date will depend on North Carolina sentencing and correctional procedures.

Officials emphasized that investigations involving sex offenses can continue well beyond the initial arrest as detectives, prosecutors and other agencies prepare cases for court.