A 61-year-old man charged with soliciting a child by computer has pleaded guilty. The man was a former Campbell University assistant professor of education from 2006 to 2015. He was also a former principal at high schools and middle schools in Wake County, North Carolina, from 1998 to 2007.
The man was convicted in Watauga County court. He received a sentence of four years of probation. The man responded to an online ad that was part of an undercover operation in July of last year. A detective was posing as a young teenage girl. According to a report from WRAL.com last year, the ad the man answered offered sexual relations with a young girl. The former principal went to meet the girl and was arrested. Investigators took possession of evidence that showed “his intentions with the young girl if she had been a real child and had arrived at the meeting location.”
The man was originally charged with indecent liberties with a child and first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor in addition to the charge he plead guilty to.
When you are charged with sex crimes, especially those involving children, it can have a drastic effect on your job, your reputation and your social life. This can also happen even if a conviction doesn’t take place. It is imperative that you present a strong defense to such charges and that your attorney work to protect your reputation. While a plea bargain may be offered, you may not wish to accept it, especially if you are not guilty of the charge. Your attorney can help determine if a plea bargain is in your best interest.
Source: fayobserver.com, “Ex-principal, Campbell University instructor pleads guilty to sex charge,” Monica Vendituoli, March 24, 2016