Randy Eugene Dula, 37, of Newton, was given an active prison sentence of 12 to 19 years following his conviction for multiple sexual offenses involving a child during Catawba County Superior Court on Monday, December 16, 2019.
The Honorable Steven Warren, Superior Court Judge from Buncombe County, imposed the prison term for Dula after he pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree sexual offense, attempted first-degree rape and two counts of indecent liberties with a child.
Dula will have to register as a sex offender for a period of 30 years upon his release from prison. He will serve his sentence in the custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections.
The offenses occurred during a period between March 1, 2014, and July 31, 2014, when the then-6-year-old female victim told a family member what had happened to her on multiple occasions.
During a forensic interview with the Children’s Advocacy and Protection Center of Catawba County, the victim disclosed information that the defendant had touched her in inappropriate places, kissed her in various places and tried to engage in sexual intercourse with her.
The defendant was taken into custody on August 1, 2014, and has been incarcerated since that time, undergoing several competency-related hospitalizations leading up to his plea on Monday.
Russ Boger investigated the cases for the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Children’s Advocacy and Protection Center of Catawba County. Assistant District Attorney Scott Lippert handled prosecution for the State.
CONTACT: Nathan Key
Phone: 828-695-6193
Email: Nathan.D.Key@nccourts.org