RESCUE, EMS WORKER ARRESTED ON CHILD SEX CHARGES
Arrest Sends Shockwaves Through Close-Knit Rescue Base

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- It's a small group of volunteers dedicated to saving lives. Wednesday night at the central rescue base on Academy Street in Lincolnton, the group gathered not for a meeting, but to deal with shock and grief over one of their own being arrested on child sex charges.

Wednesday morning around 11:45am, Noel Christopher Morrison, 37, Lincolnton, turned himself in to Lincolnton Police detective Sgt. Matt Painter on one felony count of solicitation of a minor; one felony count of attempted statutory sex ofense and four felony counts of indecent liberties with a child. The child is 14-years-old and not a family member of Morrison.

While Painter didn't say when the incidents happened, he did say based on his investigation, some of the incidents happened on rescue squad property. It's a contention that rescue members deny, adding they never saw any evidence of anything inappropriate.

"None of the incidents involving the child happened in rescue vehicles," said Painter, adding Morrison was represented by attorney Todd Pomeroy and didn't make a comment when arrested at the police department. Morrison was taken to the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under a $100,000 secured bond, escorted by two family members and Pomeroy.

Morrison, a second lieutenant for the Lincoln Rescue Squad and a member of Lincoln County EMS, has been suspended from both organizations pending the outcome of Painter's investigation.

Painter said the investigation began one week ago, on Thursday, when the parents of the child filed an incident report with police.

Painter said it was important that an arrest in the case be made as quickly as possible.

"For these kind of charges, the bond is appropriate," said Painter. "These are very serious charges."

The possibility of more victims coming forward or additional charges is not likely, according to Painter.

"You never know with cases like this," said Painter.

Rescue members didn't want to officially comment on the incident. However, they did say they're trying to cope with the arrest and are standing behind Morrison.

Workers also said Morrison was not one of the trainers at the rescue base.

Lincoln Rescue operates three bases across Lincoln County. Originally called the Lincoln County Life Saving Crew, bases are located on Highway 16 in Denver; Academy Street in Lincolnton; and Highway 27 in Vale. Members of Lincoln Rescue are all volunteers, with many of them working in other areas of Lincoln County Emergency Services.