Brunswick County man sentenced to at least 23 years in child sex abuse case

BOLIVIA, NC (WWAY) — A Brunswick County defendant has been sentenced to a minimum of 23 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple child sex offenses involving a girl between the ages of 12 and 15.

According to prosecutors, Zachary Prince pleaded guilty to statutory rape of a child 15 years old or younger, two counts of statutory sex offense with a child 15 years old or younger, and indecent liberties with a child.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Jason C. Disbrow sentenced the defendant to 276 to 392 months in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

In addition to the prison sentence, the defendant will be required to register as a sex offender, comply with satellite-based monitoring, and have no contact with the victim.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michele Morton and Legal Assistant Donna Kutchma.

Officials said the defendant sexually abused the daughter of a friend over several years. Prosecutors praised the victim for coming forward as an adult and assisting with the case.

“The victim’s decision to come forward as an adult reflects extraordinary courage,” the district attorney’s office said in a statement.