A Spring Lake man has been arrested and charged with multiple child sex offenses following an investigation by the Southern Pines Police Department, authorities said.
Police said the investigation began Oct. 7, 2025, after the Moore County Department of Social Services reported allegations that Jahmel Raemone Kegler, 27, had an ongoing sexual relationship with a juvenile under the age of 15.
“It was reported by the Department of Social Services to the Southern Pines Police Department that Jahmel Raemone Kegler had an ongoing sexual relationship with a juvenile who he was alleged to have impregnated,” writes the Southern Pines Police Department in a press release. “Further investigation revealed that Jahmel Raemone Kegler already had one child with the juvenile, [and the child] was 3 months old at the time of the report.”
Based on the investigation, warrants were obtained charging Kegler with statutory rape of a child under 15 years of age and indecent liberties with a child, police said.
Investigators located Kegler on March 4 and reportedly took him into custody without incident.
Kegler appeared before a Moore County magistrate the same day and was ordered held without bond on the statutory rape charge. He received a $50,000 secured bond on the indecent liberties with a child charge.
Authorities said Kegler is scheduled to appear in Moore County District Court on March 18 and March 19.
The Southern Pines Police Department said the investigation involved assistance from the Moore County District Attorney’s Office, Moore County Sheriff’s Office, Moore County Department of Social Services, and the Child Advocacy Center of North Carolina.
Police ask anyone with additional information related to the case or other possible incidents involving Kegler to contact Southern Pines police. Information may be given to SPPD Investigator J. Arnold at (910) 692-7031 or by calling the SPPD Tip Line at (910) 693-4110 if you wish to remain anonymous.
All charges are allegations, and Kegler is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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Photo via Southern Pines Police Department.
