THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 2, 1996 TAG: 9605020474
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Short : 29 lines
Hiram Clyde Gallop, a Republican candidate for Dare County Board of Commissioners, has been arrested on five counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor and four counts of first degree sex offenses, the Sheriff's Department said Wednesday.
Gallop, of Wanchese, was indicted by a grand jury after an investigation by the Dare County Sheriff's Department and the State Bureau of Investigation.
He was released on $50,000 bail.
A sexual molestation lawsuit was filed Jan. 3 against Gallop, 82, by an 18-year-old Virginia Beach woman.
In the motion filed in Dare County Superior Court, Leslie Anne Parker alleged that Gallop fondled her sexually in 1985, when she was 7. She asked for $10,000 in damages.
Gallop, a retired ship captain, in January denied Parker's charge, calling it ``blackmail.''
It could not be learned Wednesday if the grand jury indictment was related to Parker's accusation. Gallop could not be reached for comment Wednesday. by CNB