By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

Authorities say a sex offender who’d been on the run for three months from Iredell County was found in a Salisbury motel.

Rowan investigators participated in a lengthy joint investigation into the whereabouts of William Arthur Sturgeon, 42, after he was believed to be in the Salisbury area. He was arrested Monday at the Super 8 motel on Bendix Drive.

Investigators with the Rowan Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit, Salisbury Police Department and the SBI searched for Sturgeon. He’s lived in various places in and around Rowan County since 2007 including Salisbury, Woodleaf, Mocksville, Rockwell and Statesville.

He was charged by Iredell officials with felony failure to register as a sex offender.

Sturgeon was turned over to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office immediately following his arrest and is currently being held in Statesville under a $75,000 secured bond.

Investigators said Sturgeon changed his appearance, including cutting his shoulder-length hair and growing out his beard.