March 19, 2025, members of the Invictus Task Force actioned an online investigation that began in late February 2025, which resulted in the arrest of Mario Castaneda, age 33, of Ramseur, NC. Castaneda was charged with the following: one (1) Felony count Attempted Statuary Rape <15, one (1) Felony count Attempted Statuary Sex offense of a child <15, one (1) Felony count Solicit by computer/appear, one (1) Felony count Attempted Indecent Liberties with a child, one (1) Felony count Attempted First Degree Sexual Exploitation of a minor, one (1) Felony count Attempted Disseminating of Obscene Material to a minor <16, one (1) count Misdemeanor Child Abuse. The Magistrate ordered Castaneda to be held without Bond and set a first appearance at the Randolph County Courthouse on Monday, March 24, 2025. The Investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Liberty Police Department/HSI Task Force representatives.
Name of Defendant;
Mario Castaneda
Age: 33
Charges: One (1) Felony Attempted Statuary Rape of a child <16,One (1) Felony Attempted Statuary Sex offense of a child <15, One (1) Felony Solicit Child by computer/Appear for Sex Act, One (1) Felony Attempted Indecent Liberties with a child <15, One (1) Felony Attempted First Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, One (1) Felony Attempted Disseminating of Obscene Material to a Minor <18, One (1) Misdemeanor Child Abuse.
Bond: No Bond
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The Invictus Task Force is a joint effort of Randolph, Alamance, Davidson, and Forsyth Counties, the State Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security in the fight against internet crimes against children (ICAC), sexual abuse, trafficking and the exploitation of children using a collaboration of resources as a force multiplier.
www.theinvictusproject.org
IF YOU BELIEVE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW MAY BE A VICTIM OF CHILD EXPLOITATION OR TRAFFICKING, Call the national hotline for 24/7 assistance. 1-888-373-7888 or text "HELP" to 233733
