BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — The U.S. Marshals have arrested Ricky Dean Clinton, 40, who is wanted on charges of human trafficking of a child and other related sex offenses.
On Monday, the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office issued outstanding warrants for Clinton.
Clinton’s charges include human trafficking with a child, indecent liberties with a child, first-degree kidnapping, sexual servitude of a minor, delivery of a controlled substance to a minor, and statutory rape.
On Tuesday, U.S. Marshals in Asheville announced that Clinton had been located at a property in eastern Burke County.
As marshals attempted to take Clinton into custody, he shot at them, causing gunfire to be exchanged.
During that exchange, Clinton was hit and later taken to an area hospital for treatment, according to the marshals.
“It’s wild. It’s scary to hear about cars pulling up in your driveway and not knowing who they are. And not really saying anything,“ neighbor Ledger Burleson said about the incident.
No marshals were hurt during this incident.
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