Florida Fugitive Caught A Released in Charlotte, NC

On March 10th, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police arrested 48-year old Terry Glenn Mauldin, (R) for two outstanding sexual battery warrants out of Marion County, Florida.

Terry Mauldin is wanted in Florida because he sexually assaulted two special needs students from Dec '06-Feb '07. He was questioned by authorities in February when the students came forward. However, Mauldin fled the state before a judge could sign a warrant for his arrest. A tip led police to his whereabouts in Charlotte and police picked him up.

According to The Ocala Times-Banner, Mauldin was a bus assistant who worked on a bus transporting male students between a group home and a public school for special needs children. The Marion County Sheriff's Office says Mauldin called and approached the group home in Ocala, FL on several occasions. He even asked home caregivers if he could take the boys to the movies, dinner and other places.

Two students, ages 15 and 13, came forward in February and claimed Mauldin kissed, fondled and performed oral sex on them. One student said the incidents happened on a frequent basis on the morning and afternoon bus ride. The second student said he was assaulted on the bus and in a gas station bathroom. Mauldin is one sick man who should be considered a danger to all children.

The two warrants in Florida clearly state Mauldin was to be held without bond and Florida would extradite him. However, a Mecklenburg County Magistrate did not bother checking with officials in Florida or looking at the case and set Mauldin?s bail at $20,000. Mauldin bonded out of jail the following day.

According to Julia Rush, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff?s Office spokesperson, officials in Mecklenburg County are working under a new administrative order that allows judges to set bail on anyone, as long as it's not a capital offense. Mauldin?s next court date is on April 12, 2007.

Maura O?Neill is a freelance writer and an editor and researcher of a popular crime blog dedicated to crime and justice in Charlotte, NC. Maura?s research and writings have appeared in The Charlotte Observer, Creative Loafing, WCNC News 6, WBTV News 2, News 14 Carolina and Maura has appeared on the WBT 1100 Keith Larsen show to discuss her work. Maura O?Neill PO Box 17022 Charlotte, NC 28227 E-mail: on_crime@yahoo.com Website: http://www.crimeincharlotte.com