Eliseo Pineda-Casarez arrested after Cornelius police investigation

A 20-year-old Cornelius mas was arrested Thursday on charges of having sexual relations with a 14-year-old girl.

Eliseo Pineda-Casarez was taken into custody the evening of Jan. 17 and lodged at the Washington County Jail.

According to Interim Cornelius Police Chief Ken Summers, the arrest follows a multiple-month investigation by the Cornelius Police Department.

“For several months, our officers have been investigating allegations that Pineda-Casarez had engaged in sexual intercourse with more than one young girl,” Summers said. “The investigation has now led us to conclude that a 15-year-old girl witnessed Pineda-Casarez engaging in sexual acts with the 14-year-old on more than one occasion over a period of several months.”

Officers are continuing the investigation and more charges are expected.