A Clinton teenager has received a felony rape charge against him following allegations of improper acts with a 14-year-old girl, Sampson County Sheriff’s authorities said Friday.

Patrick Leon Baker, 19, of 1290 Taylors Bridge Road, Clinton, was charged with statutory rape in connection with an investigation by sheriff’s authorities. He was taken into custody at the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office Thursday morning and placed in the Sampson County Detention Center under $100,000 secured bond.

According to jail records, Baker was specifically charged with statutory rape/sex offense- defendant being greater than four years, but less than six years, younger.

“Parents reported to investigators that their 14-year-old daughter had sexual contact with the 19-year-old male suspect,” Lt. Marcus Smith said. “As a result, an investigation was launched and probable cause was found to charge the suspect.”

He said no further information on the case was available.

According to N.C. General Statute, a defendant is guilty of a Class C felony “if the defendant engages in vaginal intercourse or a sexual act with another person who is 13, 14, or 15 years old and the defendant is more than four but less than six years older than the person, except when the defendant is lawfully married to the person.” That turns into a Class B1 felony if the victim falls in the same 13-15 age range and the defendant is at least six years older than the person.

Ignoring prior criminal record and dispositional ranges, a Class C felony conviction brings with it a punishment of 44 to 182 months in prison. Baker has no criminal record in North Carolina, according to N.C. Department of Public Safety.

He has an initial court date of Aug. 28.

Reach staff writer Chris Berendt at 910-249-4616. Follow the paper on twitter @SampsonInd and like us on Facebook.

By Chris Berendt

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