Two individuals were arrested this week for intimidating a witness in a sexual assault case, announced the department in a Sunday news release.
“The arrests come after a month long investigation conducted by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the State Bureau of Investigation,” said Sheriff Fields.
Detectives arrested Amit Sharadchandra Patel, age 57, of Southern Pines, Friday. Patel was charged with one count of extortion, one count of obstructing justice, and one count of intimidating a witness.
Patel was jailed under a $200,000 secured bond and is first scheduled to appear in Moore County Superior Court on March 18.
A second suspect was arrested a day later.
Detectives arrested President and Owner of RDS Investigations & Polygraphs, Ronnie Dale Smith, age 66, of Fayetteville, Saturday. Smith was charged with one count of extortion, one count of obstructing justice, and one count of intimidating a witness.
Smith was confined to the Moore County Detention Center under a $100,000 secured bond and also has a March 18 court date.
If anyone has any further information on this or any other case, please contact the Moore County Sheriff’s Office at 910-947-4444 or 910-947-2931.
The news release did not provide any additional details.
Photo: (L,R) Ronnie Dale Smith, Amit Sharadchandra Patel.
