Wilmington man sentenced to up to 37 years for statutory sex offenses involving minors

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington man has been sentenced to more than two decades in prison after pleading guilty to multiple statutory sex offenses involving minors, according to the New Hanover County District Attorney’s Office.

On Thursday, July 16, 36-year-old Tony Michael Crisco pleaded guilty in New Hanover County Superior Court to multiple counts of statutory sex offense and statutory rape.

According to prosecutors, an investigation by the Wilmington Police Department and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office found that Crisco sexually abused both a family member and an unrelated minor in 2020 and 2021. Investigators also determined that Crisco recorded some of the assaults.

Crisco was arrested back in May of 2023 and charged with 1st degree sexual offense, child abuse sex act, 1st degree sexual offense and 1st degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

Under a negotiated plea agreement, the victims were not required to testify in court.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge R. Kent Harrell sentenced the 36-year-old to 317 to 441 months, (approximately 26 to 37 years), of active prison time in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

After his release, Crisco will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. He will also be placed under satellite-based monitoring through the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

Prosecutors said Crisco has also pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of production and possession of child pornography. He is scheduled to be sentenced in United States District Court next week on those charges.

District Attorney Jason W. Smith credited Assistant District Attorney Lance Oehrlein, along with investigators from the Wilmington Police Department and New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, for their work on the case.

“Crimes against children exploit the most vulnerable members of society and will not be tolerated,” Smith said. “Our office is pleased that this case resulted in a lengthy prison sentence for the offender without subjecting his young victims to an emotionally traumatic trial.”

Officials said the plea agreement allowed the case to be resolved while limiting the impact on the minor victims involved.