PENDER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) – A man from Pender County pled guilty to attempted statutory rape Friday, June 14, in a child sexual assault case, according to the Office of District Attorney Ben David.

Per the release, 38-year-old Paul Rettinger was sentenced to 108 to 190 months (nine years to 15 years and 10 months) in prison and will register as a sex offender for 30 years following his release.

“In October 2021, the victim disclosed to her boss at work that she had been sexually assaulted,” the release states. “The victim’s boss reported the crimes to law enforcement, and the minor was interviewed at the Carousel Center, a local non-profit that provides medical and therapeutic services for child victims.

“Through the investigative efforts of the Pender County Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement was able to determine that the defendant and the victim met at the Skate Barn in Pender County. The two began communicating and eventually the victim snuck out of her house; the defendant was waiting outside to pick her up and bring her back to his house. While at the defendant’s house, the defendant violently assaulted the victim. The victim reported that she felt trapped because he was her ride home. When the victim tried to back away from the defendant the victim reported he said, ‘No one is coming to save you now.’ The attack lasted for approximately 3 hours before the defendant dropped the victim back off at her house.”

Speaking with the detectives, Rettinger reportedly admitted to committing several sexual acts with the victim, claiming he thought she was 18.

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