Local

Woman and two juveniles charged in Statesville arson and hate crime investigation

Iredell County Sheriff’s Office

STATESVILLE, N.C. — An investigation into racial slurs spray-painted on a church vehicle and other properties in Statesville has led to charges against two juveniles and a 48-year-old woman.

The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation began July 30.

Detectives identified two juveniles as suspects and connected them to a nearby home under construction that had been broken into, had property stolen, and was set on fire.

Investigators said Amber Lee Christley, 48, of Statesville, provided the juveniles with information about how to start the fire and gave them a lighter.

Christley was arrested Aug. 19 and charged with felony burning of a building or structure in the process of construction, felony conspiracy and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

She received a $10,000 secured bond.

The two juveniles were also charged through the Department of Juvenile Justice with multiple felony and misdemeanor offenses, including burning a structure under construction, breaking and entering and larceny, ethnic intimidation, and injury to real property.

0