Pender County jury convicts Rocky Point man of multiple child sex crimes

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Pender County jury has convicted a Rocky Point man on multiple child sex crime charges following an investigation involving two counties and multiple victims.

James Laughridge Moore, 57, was found guilty on April 6 of 12 charges, including statutory sex offense with a child, attempted statutory sex offense, first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and multiple counts of taking indecent liberties with a child.

Judge G. Frank Jones sentenced Moore to 25 to 35 years in prison, followed by a period of probation.

According to investigators, the case began in November 2023 when a detective with the Pender County Sheriff’s Office received a tip through a school’s Say Something app about possible child sexual abuse.

During the investigation, detectives determined Moore had been abusing a young boy for years in both Pender and New Hanover counties.

Authorities say the victim’s father witnessed the abuse in May 2023.

Investigators with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office joined the case, and Moore was later arrested.

A search of Moore’s home and digital devices led to the discovery of child sexual abuse material involving another young boy, according to investigators. Detectives were able to identify a second victim, who they say was also abused by Moore in Pender County.

Authorities said Moore knew both victims through personal connections and, in one case, recorded the abuse.

All charges were combined for trial in Pender County.

After less than an hour of deliberation, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts.