CATAWBA COUNTY, NC — A Maiden man could spend up to 140 years in prison after being convicted of child sex related crimes dating back to 1986.
A Catawba County jury found Rickey Dale Waldrop, Sr. guilty of seven sexual offenses on Friday, including First Degree Rape, two counts of Statutory Sex Offense, First Degree Sex Offense and three counts of Taking Indecent Liberties with Children.
The trial lasted roughly two weeks, but a jury only needed about three hours of deliberation to reach their verdict.
Waldrop’s three biological children and one step-child testified against him, according to a court release. They talked about the years of sexual abuse suffered at his hands while witnesses also described a troubled home, which included multiple police and DSS interventions beginning in the 1980’s and lasting into the early 2000’s.
During that time however, officials say each victim was not aware of any sexual abuse suffered by their siblings. It wasn’t until 2013, when they all came forward to file reports with law enforcement, that they learned the extent of Waldrop’s crimes.
“I want to thank the victims in this case for coming forward, and the Catawba County Sheriff’s Department for their hard work and dedication to this case,” District Attorney Scott Reilly said in response to the verdict.
“What these victims did was difficult and courageous. I hope this case serves as an example to others suffering from the effects of sexual abuse that it’s okay to come forward, and if we can, we want to fight for you. It’s never too late to speak up.”
Waldrop was sentenced to an active prison term of 117 to 140 following Friday’s verdict.
