AHOSKIE – A local man is being held under a $540,000 secured bond after he was charged with sexually related crimes.

McKinley Powell, 56, of Ahoskie-Cofield Road was arrested Dec. 20 by the Ahoskie Police Department. Powell was charged with a first degree sexual offense and crimes against nature. He was also charged with possession of firearm by a felon.

The APD report showed that Officer Woodard received a call in reference to an allegation of a sexual assault that occurred in Ahoskie.  Upon investigating that allegation, a search warrant was executed by APD Det. Sgt. Stephen White at the residence of the accused.  As a result of evidence collected, Powell was arrested and transported to the Hertford County Jail pending trial.