PENDER COUNTY — Hampstead resident Shawn Edward Johnson, 43, pled guilty this week to one count of statutory sex offense and one count of statutory rape and was sentenced to 37 to 54 years in the N.C Department of Adult Correction.
District Attorney Ben David said Johnson abused the first female victim over the course of a three year period, starting when she was 12 years old and ending when she reported the abuse three years later. He abused a second girl over the course of three months, starting when she was 13 years old.
“Johnson knew both victims before the abuse began,” David said in a Wednesday release. “When confronted by the victims and their families with the allegations of abuse, he called 911 to report the crimes himself.”
“The courage and strength of these two young victims allowed justice to prevail and take a predator off the streets of Pender County for the next three decades,” David said.
Johnson pled guilty to Pender County Superior Court Judge Kent Harrell. He was sentenced to 300-420 months plus a consecutive sentence of 144-233 months. Once released he will be placed on post-release supervision for 60 months and must register as a sex offender for 30 years.
David credited the work of Detective Stephen Clinard of the Pender County Sheriff’s Office in obtaining the guilty plea from Johnson. Assistant DA Jason Smith handled the case for the state.
