Sex Offender Arrested After Months on the Run; Two Charged With Helping Him Hide

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced that on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, detectives with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit arrested registered sex offender Justin Spradling, who was wanted on several outstanding warrants.

Spradling faces multiple felony charges, including failure to report a new address, being present near a child-related location, violation of sex offender residency requirements, and violation of probation. He was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he is being held under a $250,000 secured bond.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Spradling had been actively avoiding law enforcement since October 25, when he was observed in the parking lot of a church that also operates as a childcare center. Despite continued efforts by detectives to locate him, investigators say he successfully evaded arrest for several months before being taken into custody on January 20.

During the investigation, detectives determined that two individuals knowingly assisted Spradling in avoiding arrest, despite being aware of his outstanding warrants and his status as a registered sex offender. As a result, Stephanie Darlene Cruz, 40, and Daniel Lee Busque, 48, both of Statesville, were arrested and charged with felony offenses for assisting a sex offender in failing to comply with the law.

At the time of her arrest, Cruz was also found to be carrying a concealed handgun. She was additionally charged with misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon and received an $8,000 secured bond. Busque was issued a $5,000 secured bond.

The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that it will continue to actively pursue wanted individuals, particularly those who pose a risk to public safety. Officials warned that anyone who attempts to hide, assist, or delay the arrest of a wanted person will be investigated and charged, noting that helping someone evade law enforcement is a serious offense and will not be tolerated.