Rape charges have been filed against an 18-year-old Garland man, offenses that stem from an eight-month probe into allegations involving sexual misconduct with a child.

Patrick Wayne Moore Jr., of 130 West Sixth St., was jailed Sunday night under a $200,000 bond, charged with one count first degree rape and one count second degree rape of an 11-year-old.

According to Sampson County Sheriff’s Lt. Marcus Smith, the incident was reported in March and an investigation into the allegations was immediately launched.

“Enough probable cause was established during this investigation to file charges against the suspect,” Smith said, “and he was arrested Sunday.”

Because the incident involves a juvenile, Smith said there was no further information that could be divulged about the incident.

According to information from the UNC School of Government website pertaining to NC Criminal Law, sex offenses, along with all other North Carolina criminal offenses, are given a felony class level by the legislature when a law making a specific action criminal is passed. The maximum prison sentence that can be expected under the North Carolina structured sentencing guidelines depends on the felony class level of which a person is convicted.

In 2008 the General Assembly enacted two new crimes, rape of a child by an adult offender under G.S. 14-27.2A, and sexual offense with a child by an adult under G.S. 14-27.4A. S.L. 2008-117. Both crimes have special sentencing rules Both G.S. 14-27.2A and 14-27.4A provide that a person convicted of those crimes must be sentenced to an active punishment of at least 300 months.

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By Sherry Matthews

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Reach publisher and editor Sherry Matthews at 910-249-4612. Follow her on Twitter @sieditor1960; follow the paper @SampsonInd and like us on Facebook.