Atkinson man sentenced to up to 73 years for robbery and sexual assault
BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — An Atkinson man will spend more than five decades in prison after being convicted of robbery and multiple sex offenses stemming from a home invasion in 2022.
On May 29, a Pender County jury found Robert Ennis, 46, guilty of robbery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of first-degree kidnapping, and two counts of forcible first-degree sex offense. Judge Clinton Rowe sentenced Ennis to serve between 52 and 73 years in prison.
According to the Pender County District Attorney’s Office, the charges stem from a December 4, 2022, incident in Rocky Point. Prosecutors said Ennis and another unidentified individual forced their way into a home with handguns while five people were inside.
Ennis demanded money, stealing several hundred dollars from one person. He then forced three women to strip naked and, at gunpoint, compelled two of them to perform sexual acts on him. Before leaving, he stole one woman’s car keys and cash.
The Pender County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation after the victims reported the assault. Eight hours later, authorities located Ennis in Wilmington after he crashed his vehicle. Deputies recovered the stolen keys and cash in the car. Ennis was arrested and confessed to law enforcement, according to the DA’s office.
DNA evidence presented at trial linked Ennis to the assaults. After a day and a half of testimony, the jury deliberated for just 45 minutes before returning guilty verdicts on all charges.
