A Sampson County man could spend a total of 110 months to 141 months in prison after pleading no contest to six counts of taking indecent liberties with a child and one count of second degree sex offense.

Senior Superior Court Judge Russell Lanier Jr. sentenced Paul Mitchell Autry, 30, of 1086 Barker Road, Clinton, to three consecutive terms of no less than 10 months and no more than 141 months in the Department of Corrections. And, once Autry is released, court records show, he will have to register as a sex offender, a label he’ll carry for the remainder of his life. In addition, Autry will be subject to satellite monitoring.

A no contest plea means the defendant does not admit outright guilt in the case but does not dispute or contest the state’s evidence against him, resulting in a finding of guilty by the court.

According to that evidence, as presented to the court by assistant district attorney Kevin Kiernan, in August 2009, multiple parties made reports of sexual misconduct to the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, naming Autry as the offender. An investigation by the sheriff’s office revealed that from 2003 to 2009, Autry had taken indecent liberties in three counties — Sampson, Duplin and Pender — with four girls who were under the age of 16 during that time.

The evidence showed that Autry had, at separate times, fondled each of the three girls, and had the fourth fondle him once. There were no allegations of, nor any evidence showing, sexual intercourse between Autry and any of the girls.

Officials with the Sampson County District Attorney’s Office, noted that due to the young ages of the victims, it was difficult for investigators and prosecutors to narrow down the exact dates and times of the various offenses for the purpose of criminal charges. But after working closely with the families of the girls, prosecutors and investigators narrowed the indictments to mirror the dates of residence of Autry at each location where an event took place. This ultimately led to Autry being charged for nine distinct occurrences — seven in Sampson County and one each in Duplin and Pender counties.

As a result, Autry waived venue and, under his plea agreement with the state, he was convicted and sentences on seven of the nine incidents, with one incident from each Duplin and Sampson being dismissed.

The state was represented by Kiernan and Michelle Morton. Autry was represented by Penny Bell.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.