CATAWBA COUNTY, NC — Thomas Smith, 26, pleaded guilty in court Friday to a sexual offense involving a child.
Smith was sentenced to 15 to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to statutory rape of a 13-year-old by a defendant at least six years older than the victim. Smith must also register as a sex offender for life and enroll in satellite based monitoring for life upon release.
According to officials, on October 11, 2014 Smith had sex with the then 13-year-old daughter of a friend whose home he was staying in at the time.
Investigators say they also learned that Smith and the victim had communicated about future activities together.
