Jury finds man guilty in downtown Wilmington rape

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Southern Pines man will spend between 25 and 30 years in prison for raping a woman in downtown Wilmington in 2015.

On August 9, around 2:00 a.m., witnesses heard a woman screaming for someone to help her in the area of Quince Alley near Water Street. Witnesses saw Damien Aaron White, 26, lying on top of the woman with his pants down. The woman’s pants and underwear were also pulled down. Prosecutors say the victim suffered a serious head injury during the attack.

One witness threw White off the victim. White pulled up his pants and ran off.

Officers with the Downtown Task Force saw White running south on Front Street followed by witnesses yelling the man had raped a woman in the alley.

Officers caught White three blocks away. Surveillance video at the booking department of the Wilmington Police Department showed White fastening his pants.

The victim’s brain injuries from the attack left her unable to remember many details.

“The victim is a strong person with a close support system, and our office is so thankful for that. Despite a lack of memory of the attack due to brain trauma, the emotional trauma from this type of crime can be life altering,” said prosecutor Connie Jordan. “We are grateful for the jury’s verdict, and for the witnesses who rendered aid. Today’s outcome would not have been possible without their testimony.”

When White is released from prison, he must register as a sexual offender and comply with satellite monitoring for the rest of his life.