Workers discovered the body of Kenneth Earl Wooten, of Pinetops, on Tuesday morning off Davenport Country Lane.
Investigators identified Jessie Lee Cherry as a suspect and arrested him on Friday. Cherry was charged with first-degree murder.
He was being held at the Edgecombe County Detention Center under no bond.
"This arrest is the result of the hard work and dedication of our investigators and the cooperation of our partner agencies and the community," said Sheriff Clee Atkinson.
Atkinson said the Tarboro Police Department, Greenville Police Department, Pinetops Police Department, ECU Health Police Department, Pitt County Sheriff's Office, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation also assisted with the investigation.
Atkinson also said residents of Pinetops and Macclesfield gave tips and information that helped lead to an arrest.
The case remains under investigation.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office at (252) 641-7911.
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