WILMINGTON — A local man was convicted of rape of a family member Wednesday in New Hanover County Superior Court.
Wilmington resident James Gause, 52, was found guilty after a trial of two counts of statutory rape, two counts of incest, two counts of taking indecent liberties with children, and one count of statutory offense.
Based on an investigation by the Wilmington Police Department, evidence showed Gause sexually abused a family member on multiple occasions in 2020 and 2021. New Hanover County jurors heard the details of the case over three days in front of Judge Clinton Rowe.
In the sentencing hearing that followed, Rowe sentenced Gause to a minimum of 46 years and a maximum of 61 years in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.
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