BURGAW, NC (WWAY) – After more than two years in the court system, a rape case came to a close Thursday.
A Burgaw man pleaded guilty in Pender County Superior Court to sex and weapons charges stemming from an April 14, 2012, incident at his house on Highway 52 East. All this is according to a news release from District Attorney Ben David.
Judge Doug Parsons sentenced Arthur Jay Goulette, 45, to eight to 15 years in the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections. Goulette will also have to register as a sex offender for 30 years, pay $8,600 in court costs, and stay away from the victim.
The victim, Goulette’s girlfriend, showed up at the Pender Medical Center with several injuries, including bruising and a broken nose. She said Goulette had assaulted her.
While investigating, Pender County deputies found a shotgun in his bedroom. Goulette was prohibited from possessing a firearm after a 2004 robbery conviction in New Hanover County. On April 19, 2012, he was arrested and charged with second degree sexual offense and felon in possession of a firearm.
“Today’s plea would not have resulted in the defendant’s years of incarceration and decades on the sex offender registry without a victim coming forward to report her sexual abuse. She is to be commended for her bravery,” District Attorney Ben David said.
This case was continued for more than two years because the defendant was originally found incompetent to stand trial due to mental incapacity. He was treated until he was well enough to enter Thursday’s plea.
