Three face child molestation charges in Nash County

NASHVILLE, N.C. — A Nash County couple and their friend face nearly two dozen child molestation charges, and authorities say more charges could be filed.

Lt. Pat Joyner with the Nash County Sheriff's Office confirmed Tuesday that the charges stem from alleged crimes with two 15-year-old girls and a 13-year-old girl, but he did not provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation.

Michael Louis Frazier, 32, of Spring Hope, was arrested July 4 and charged with two counts of statutory rape where the defendant is greater than 6 years older than the victim and two counts of first-degree rape.

Frazier's live-in girlfriend, Tabetha Batchelar Bridges, 39, was arrested July 10 and charged with one count of felony child abuse by sexual act.

Further investigation led deputies to arrest John Hobgood, 40, on July 18. He faces four counts of indecent liberties with a child, six counts of first-degree statutory sex offense, two counts of first-degree statutory rape, two counts of statutory rape where the defendant is greater than 6 years older than the victim and four counts of statutory sex offense with a child 13 to 15 years old.