Man Wanted For Rape In Caldwell County Arrested By Federal Authorities

A man wanted in Caldwell County for the reported rape of a child was found near the Virginia-Tennessee line with an endangered child on Saturday.

William Lee Martin III, age 55, was wanted for the charge of first-degree rape of a child. The warrant was issued in Caldwell County according to press release from the United States Marshall’s Service. The reported crime happened in the early 1990s. Martin is accused of impregnating a minor in 1990. The victim reported the crime in 2024 following the death of the victim’s child. Martin was arrested on July 26 in Sullivan County, Tennessee by Federal Marshals.

Martin is being held in Tennessee until he can be extradited back to Caldwell County.

The Hickory Daily Record contributed to this story