LUMBERTON — A Pembroke man who several women say tried to get them to work as prostitutes has been charged with sexual assault and kidnapping, according to jail records.
Caroles Locklear, 35, of Hiawatha Road, was arrested late Thursday night and charged with kidnapping, sexual battery and simple assault on a female. He was jailed under a $250,000 bond.
Robeson County Sheriff Kenneth Sealey confirmed on Thursday that his office was investigating allegations of inappropriate activity involving women and underage girls at R1 Cafe, a makeshift store at Locklear’s residence.
Sealey declined to go into detail about the allegations, citing the ongoing investigation. He said his office became aware of the allegations “a few days ago” and deputies went to the store on Wednesday.
“It’s still ongoing, we’ve got a lot to work to do right now,” Sealey said this morning.
According to multiple sources, women and teenage girls have been approached by Locklear about interviewing for a job, but during the interview were asked whether they would engage in sex for money.
Brittany Johnson said she received a Facebook message from Locklear, whom she did not know, about interviewing for a job there. Johnson recently turned 18.
“He asked me if I sell my body for drugs, if I would sell my body for money, if I smoke weed,” she said. Johnson said the man attempted to grope her.
Johnson said Locklear then told her he would return in a few minutes and locked the building.
“I can’t remember how long I was in there because I was freaking out,” Johnson said. Johnson called a friend to come get her and was able to sneak out of the building.
According to Johnson, the man told her he only hires 14- to 18-year-old girls and that she could earn tips for engaging in sex.
A Facebook group started in response to concerns about the inappropriate activity contains numerous posts from women who have received the same message about hiring, and from women whose daughters have been approached.
Sealey denied a Facebook claim that there had been a standoff between deputies and Locklear at the residence. He said Locklear had attempted to evade officers, but was arrested without incident after deputies located him.
Sealey asked that anyone with information about these allegations come forward. The Sheriff’s Office can be reached at 910-671-3100.
Locklear was arrested in February 2014 after the Sheriff’s Office received complaints that he selling drinks and snacks as well as marijuana out of the same Hiawatha Road.
