Man charged with rape, strangulation on Wrightsville Beach

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Wrightsville Beach Police charged a man with second-degree rape, assault by strangulation and assault on a female.

Wrightsville Beach Police Chief Daniel House said Paul Allen Smithey, 30, attacked a woman around 1:30 a.m. Sunday on the beach probably near Stone Street.

House said Smithey hung out with the woman earlier in the evening, and her friend reported the crime.

House added that this was the second sexual assault reported this summer.