Pender Co. man convicted in child sex assault case

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A Pender County man pleaded guilty to attempted rape Friday, June 14, in a child sexual assault case, according to District Attorney Ben David's office.

According to the release, Paul Rettinger, 38, was sentenced to 108 to 190 months (nine years to 15 years and 10 months) in prison and will be registered as a sex offender for 30 years after his release.

“In October 2021, the victim disclosed to her boss at work that she had been sexually assaulted,” the statement said. “The victim's boss reported the crimes to law enforcement and the juvenile was interviewed at the Carousel Center, a local nonprofit organization that provides medical and therapeutic services to child victims.

“Through the investigative efforts of the Pender County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement was able to determine that the defendant and victim met at the Pender County Skate Barn. The two began to communicate and eventually the victim sneaked out of her house; the defendant was waiting outside to come pick her up and take her home. While he was at the defendant's home, he violently attacked the victim. The victim said she felt trapped because he was driving her home. When the victim tried to move away from the defendant, she said he said, “No one is going to come and save you now.” » The attack lasted approximately 3 hours before the accused took the victim home.

Speaking to detectives, Rettinger allegedly admitted to committing multiple sexual acts with the victim, saying he thought she was 18 years old.

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