33-year-old Rocky Lee Dale of Piney Road in Morganton was arrested Wednesday (April 26) by Morganton Public Safety Officers. He’s charged with felony sex offender unlawfully on child premises.

Shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday a Public Safety Officer responded to Catawba Meadows Park on Catawba Meadows Drive in Morganton. Public Safety was contacted regarding a suspicious vehicle at the park. When the officer arrived they came into contact with the driver of the vehicle, Rocky Lee Dale. He was placed into custody on the felony charge and transported to the Burke County Jail.

Dale is on the North Carolina Sex Offender and Public Protection Registry as a result of a conviction in Yancey County in July, 2010 for indecent liberties with a minor. Dale was 20-years-old at the time of the offense and the victim was 15-years-old. The sentence imposed was 17-21 months in prison.

Dale is registered as a sex offender with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office. He has a minimum registration period of ten years. He has additional convictions dating back to 2007 in Yancey, Buncombe, Mitchell, Burke and Caldwell Counties on charges including felony counts of larceny of a motor vehicle and possession of stolen goods.

Following Wednesday’s arrest, Dale received a $10,000 secured bond. He is not listed as an inmate in Burke County today (April 28). Dale’s next District Court date is scheduled for May 18.