Lance Cpl. Zayne Melton, 22, was charged by the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office with statutory rape, another statutory sex offense and taking indecent liberties with a child under the age of 15. Melton was arrested Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, by the local authorities in coordination with Camp Lejeune’s Provost Marshal’s Office. (Onslow County (N.C.) Sheriff’s Office)

A Marine based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., has been arrested and faces three felony charges of sex with a child, according to local authorities.

Lance Cpl. Zayne Melton, 22, was charged by the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office with statutory rape, another statutory sex offense and taking indecent liberties with a child under the age of 15. Melton was arrested Feb. 13 by local authorities in coordination with Camp Lejeune’s Provost Marshal’s Office.

The charges against Melton date to September, when the sheriff’s office received a report from the county Department of Social Services that a child was sexually abused, according to a social media post by the sheriff’s office.

Detectives with the sheriff’s office determined Melton as a suspect. The detectives, assisted by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, interviewed Melton on Feb. 7. The warrant for his arrest was issued Feb. 12, the sheriff’s office said.

Authorities did not say how they determined Melton as a suspect, nor detail the accusations brought against him. The investigation is ongoing.

Melton is being held at the Onslow County Detention Center on an $800,000 bond. His next court date is March 6.

Melton is a motor vehicle operator assigned to the 2nd Marine Logistics Group as part of the II Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp Lejeune, according to a spokesperson for the force. He joined the Marine Corps in April 2022.

It is unclear at this time whether the Marine Corps will take administrative or legal action against Melton as a result of the charges, the spokesperson said.