NEW HANOVER COUNTY – Richard Craig Wilkinson, 62, has been charged with two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child, as well as child solicitation via computer. He was found guilty by a New Hanover County jury within the NHC Superior Court following a four-day trial.
The court was presented with evidence from August 2019 where the FBI received information regarding Wilkinson’s inappropriate engagement with a 15-year-old child. A thorough investigation proved Wilkinson met the child online. According to a release from DA Ben David’s office, he began sexually grooming her, and gave her gifts, money, alcohol, and drug paraphernalia.
The defendant was sentenced to 19-42 months in the NC Department of Adult Correction by the Honorable Josh Willey, NHC’s Superior Court Judge. Following Wilkinson’s release, he will then be required to register as a sex offender for 30 years.
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