PENDER COUNTY — A jury has convicted a 57-year-old Rocky Point man of 12 charges for sex crimes with minors.
James Laughridge Moore will serve up to 35 years in prison and probation, as sentenced by Judge G. Frank Jones on April 6.
Moore was charged with:
- Statutory sex offense with a child 15 years old or younger
- Attempted statutory sex offense with a child 15 years old or younger
- Attempted statutory sex offense with a child by an adult
- Statutory sex Offense with a child by an adult
- 2 counts of first degree sexual exploitation of a minor
- 6 counts of taking indecent liberties
The Pender County Sheriff’s Office began the investigation into Moore in November 2023, according to district attorney’s office. A local school received a tip on its Say Something App tipping off detectives.
The investigation revealed Moore was abusing a young boy of his friends’ for many years both in New Hanover and Pender counties. Since it crossed county boundaries, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office joined in the investigation and located the victim’s father.
He said he had had witnessed his son’s abuse in May 2023. A search warrant of Moore’s home and digital devices led to the discovery of sexual abuse material of another young boy.
Detectives located the second victim — the stepson of one of Moore’s friends — also abused during his youth. According to the DA’s office, Moore had photographed and video recorded the sexual abuse.
After just under an hour of deliberation in the Pender County courtroom, the jury returned a guilty verdict on all charges.
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