Guilty pleas to child sexual assault charges in Pender County

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Two men have pleaded guilty to child rape charges in Pender County.

District Attorney Ben David says Thursday Bryan Powell, 30, pleaded guilty to first degree rape of a child, first degree sex offense of a child, attempted first degree sex offense of a child, sex offense in a parental role, and indecent liberties with a child. Powell was sentenced to 20 to 29 years in prison.

David says Powell confessed to detectives at the Pender County Sheriff’s Office that he had sexually abused his 12-year-old step-daughter over a period of one to two years while he was married to her mother.

After his release Powell will be required to register as a sex offender. The judge also required Powell to be electronically monitored for 5 years after his release.

Inferiah Page, 22, is also facing some time. He pleaded guilty to one count of second degree rape. He was sentenced to 6 to 12 years in prison.

David says the victim in this case was a 13-year-old minor living in a foster care setting when she was assaulted by Page in 2013.

Page will have to register as a sex offender and be electronically monitored for 5 years after his release.

“Rape is a crime of violence and will be punished to the full extent in my office,” David said.