On Aug. 29, 2022, a report was filed with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office for the offense of statutory sexual offense with a child.

The case was assigned to a Special Victim’s Unit Detective for further investigation. Through extensive investigation, interviews, and analysis of evidence, including DNA with the NC State Bureau of Investigation, probable cause was established for the arrest of Joshua C. Linton, 38, for one count of felony statutory sex offense with a child, and two counts of felony indecent liberties with a child.

Linton was recently arrested without incident in Duplin County with the assistance of the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office. Linton is currently being held in the Wayne County Detention Center without bond pending his first appearance before a District Court Judge.