SMITHFIELD – A convicted felon was sentenced to prison last week after a jury trial in Johnston County Superior Court.
Richard Darnell James, age 46, was found guilty August 24 for felony assault. The following day, the same jury found James guilty of being a habitual felon.
Afterwards, Superior Court Judge Craig Croom sentenced the defendant to a minimum of 9 years 3 months to a maximum of 12 years 2 months in prison.
James was convicted of assaulting a female acquaintance April 23, 2022 at the Traveler’s Inn in Four Oaks. During the domestic related attack the victim sustained a broken jaw.
The jury also heard evidence the defendant was previously convicted of assault with a deadly weapon in Johnston County and assault on a female in Wake County.
During the habitual felon phase of the trial, the State presented evidence that Richard James committed the 2022 felony assault against the victim after having been previously convicted of three felonies. James had prior convictions of indecent liberties with a child, malicious conduct by a prisoner, and failure to report a new address to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office as a registered sex offender.
“The Johnston County District Attorney’s Office is pleased with the verdicts and the sentence imposed,” said Assistant District Attorney Caitlin Slavin, who prosecuted the case. “The jury verdicts send the right message that domestic violence must be taken seriously and not be tolerated by anyone on the community. The State wants to thank Officer Jose Moreno and the Four Oaks Police Department for their thorough investigation and commitment to helping the victim bring her abuser to justice. We would also like to thank the jurors for their dedicated service in this case.”
Another slime ball gone by by. I wish it was longer for all the crimes that he committed especially the one involving a child. Great job FOPD and to the Judge and the jury.