SBI investigating case

The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) arrested a Polk County man earlier this month on sexual abuse charges.

Noelle Talley, public information officer with the N.C. Department of Justice, said the SBI initiated an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse by Danny Durham, 51, of 3714 Peniel Rd., Tryon, at the request of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Sept. 25.

Durham was arrested and charged on Oct. 5 with three counts of first-degree statutory sex abuse, according to the N.C. Department of Justice.

The sheriff’s office received allegations and immediately turned it over to the SBI because of the possible conflict of a family member being employed by the sheriff’s department.

Also due to the potential conflict, Durham was taken to the Rutherford County Jail where he is still being held under a $500,000 bond.

Additional charges are pending and the investigation is continuing, according to Talley.