A Morganton man has been charged with human trafficking. 23-year-old Pasqual Mendez Oak Street is currently in the Burke Catawba District Confinement Facility under a $1,000,000 bond. Officers were called to the Mendez residence in May, where they located a juvenile female who had been assaulted. Further investigation showed the juvenile was living with Mendez for the purpose of servitude. The Criminal Investigations Division discovered that the juvenile had been in the country for about 7 months. Reports state Mendez exchanged money with a family member of the victim for the transport and purchase of the juvenile from Guatemala to North Carolina. The investigation is ongoing with the assistance of Burke County Social Services and Burke County Child Advocacy caring for the child. Mendez was arrested in May and charged with assault on a female, interfering with emergency communications, and statutory rape of a child under 15 years of age. He was then charged Wednesday with human trafficking. The trial date for Mendez is set for August 31st.

According to the American Automobile Association, it is estimated that 43 million people will travel this Independence Day holiday period, which runs through Monday. The State Highway Patrol is advising you to slow down and travel at posted speeds, not only to increase your chances of arriving at your destination safely, by also to conserve fuel. Last year the SHP investigated 12 fatal collisions and 288 injury collisions during the July 4th holiday period. This included 4 fatal collisions and 38 injury collisions due to impaired driving. Speed is the leading cause of traffic collisions and fatalities in the state. Citizens may report crashes, drunk drivers, stranded motorists or other highway situations to the Highway Patrol by dialing *HP (*47) on mobile phones. This is a toll free call that connects you with the nearest Highway Patrol communications center.