NEW HANOVER COUNTY — A Pender County man pled guilty to statutory sex offense with a child 15 years or younger on Monday in New Hanover County Superior Court.
Randy Tucker was sentenced to 190-288 months in prison and will register as a sex offender for 30 years following his release from prison.
In September 2023, the victim disclosed to her school counselor two sexual encounters with Tucker, one of which occurred in the parking lot of Pender Memorial Hospital. The counselor reported the crimes to law enforcement, and the minor was interviewed at the Carousel Center, which provides medical and therapeutic
services for child victims.
The Pender County Sheriff’s Office obtained video from the hospital parking lot which and incriminating messages from Tucker confirming the victim’s account. When confronted with this evidence, Tucker admitted to the sexual act stating it was a “stupid mistake” and something “that should never have happened,” according to the PCSO.
“Committing a sex offense with a minor is never a ‘mistake.’ It’s intentional, and it’s a crime,” Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Z. Donaldson said in a press release. “Tucker is being held accountable for his crime because of the bravery of the victim, the professionalism of the school counselor, the incredible resources at the Carousel Center, and the investigative efforts of law enforcement.”
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