Johnston County man faces child sex charges

John Eric Dutton, 44, of 112 Amberley Court in the Johnston County area of Garner, was arrested this week on two counts of indecent liberties with a child and one count of first-degree sex offense of a child.

Tammy Amaon, a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office, said Dutton was originally arrested and released on bond in June on a charge of indecent liberties with a child.

He was arrested again last week and placed jail under a $1 million bond after the families of two girls went to authorities, Amaon said.

Family members said the girls spent time at Dutton's house because he was a trusted family friend. They believe that is when the alleged abuse occurred last year.

“It’s an emotional rollercoaster,” one of the girl’s mothers said Friday. “This is someone who was known to our family for years, in our home and their home. Relationships were built.”