Authorities have a 20-year old Laurinburg man in custody after he allegedly had sexual relations with a 15-year old female, according to the Laurinburg police.

Roderick Darnell Jones, of Marcelus Street, was arrested and charged with three counts each of statutory rape, sexual offense with a child and crimes against nature, according to Lt. Chris Young.

Jones is in Scotland County jail under a $75,000 secured bond.

"The parents were told the juvenile female was not at school one school day, Young said. "The father had dropped her off at school that morning. They found out that she had been picked up by a guy named Rod."

According to Young, the relationship had been going on for about a month, with the juvenile skipping school to be with Jones. Young said she was attending a private school, but declined to release its name.

"The female juvenile admitted to having consensual sex with [Jones]," Young said.

Jones told officers that he thought the juvenile was of a legal age and was unaware that she was 15, according to Young.

The legal age of consent in North Carolina is 16.

Young said the mistake-as-to-age defense was ruled invalid in North Carolina.

According to the N.C General Statutes, statutory rape and sexual offense with a child is a Class C felony if defendant is five years older than the victim. Crimes against nature are Class I felonies.

The Laurinburg Exchange's policy not to print the names of sexual assault victims.