PENDER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) – A former U.S. Marine was convicted and sentenced in a 2022 rape case in Pender County Thursday, Aug. 29, according to an announcement from the Office of District Attorney Ben David.

According to the release, 33-year-old Darryl Leroy Smith was found guilty by a jury on the charges of second-degree forcible rape, sexual battery and assault on a female.

“During the course of the trial, the State presented evidence of Darryl Smith’s violent history of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse that he inflicted against both the victim and another woman who testified about the torment she suffered at the hands of the defendant,” the release states. “The defendant testified in his own defense and was cross examined by Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Zimmer Donaldson about various instances of his prior bad acts. A friend of the defendant’s testified on his behalf, but admitted that she, too, suffered physical violence at the hands of the defendant.”

Smith was sentenced to 73 to 148 months in prison (six years and one month to 12 years and four months).

“We thank the Pender County Sheriff’s Office, especially Detective Sergeant Steve Clinard, for the hard work that went into investigating this case,” the release adds.

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