A Roanoke Rapids man was charged today with child sex offense counts and is also being held on a New Jersey fugitive warrant on similar charges involving the same child.

Investigation by Detective Charles Vaught of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department has led to Edward Lee Owens, 37, of 922 Franklin Street, being charged with one count of first degree rape of a child, one count of first degree sexual offense of a child under 13 and sex offense in a parental role.

Authorities from the Monmouth Police Department in New Jersey have charged Owens with aggravated sexual assault involving a minor, Captain Andy Jackson of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department said, and additional charges are expected from that department.

The New Jersey charges date to 2005 while the charges in Roanoke Rapids date from July 1, 2006, to January 31, 2007.

It is unclear the specific date Owens arrived in Roanoke Rapids.

Roanoke Rapids police began their investigation a couple of weeks ago, Jackson said, declining to discuss specifics of the case, including the complainant.

He also declined to discussed why there was a four year lapse from the last alleged date before police were informed of the matter.

Owens was jailed today on $300,000 bond and has a May 4 court date.

Jackson said the man will be tried in Halifax County first and will be held here on the New Jersey fugitive warrant.