Crime & Safety
Union County, NC Tip Leads to Arrest in Minor Solicitation Case
Monroe, NC – A citizen's report about suspicious activity at a Union County park led to the arrest of a 24 year old man and an ongoing investigation involving his alleged online contact with a juvenil
By Tessa Morgan · 2026-10-07T23:31:59.935Z
Monroe, NC – A citizen's report about suspicious activity at a Union County park led to the arrest of a 24 year old man and an ongoing investigation involving his alleged online contact with a juvenile, authorities said.
According to the Union County Sheriff 's Office, deputies recently responded to Dogwood Park for a reported disturbance involving a male and female after a concerned citizen noticed something that appeared unusual and contacted law enforcement.
When deputies arrived, they allegedly saw a juvenile female walking away from a truck occupied by Daniel Castillo, 24, of California.
Deputies initially charged Castillo with contributing to the delinquency of a minor after investigators determined he had allegedly provided alcohol and vaping products to the juvenile. He was transported to the Union County Jail.
As the investigation continued, Special Victims Unit detectives determined Castillo and the juvenile had allegedly met through Snapchat and communicated for several months before Castillo traveled to North Carolina to meet her, according to the sheriff's office.
Castillo was subsequently charged with solicitation of a minor by computer.
The investigation remains active. Authorities said search warrants have been obtained and electronic devices are undergoing forensic examination. Additional charges could be filed depending on the results of those searches and examinations.
The sheriff's office credited the initial caller with helping deputies uncover what authorities described as a more serious situation, emphasizing the role community tips can play in identifying potentially dangerous circumstances.
The charges against Castillo are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.