Albemarle man to face between 10 to 22 years in prison for sex crimes against children

Published 3:15 pm Monday, April 10, 2023

Former state trooper James Leopard, who was found guilty last week of sex crimes against children, was sentenced Monday to a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 22 years, according to Stanly County Clerk of Superior Court Ginger Efird.

James Leopard was arrested on numerous sex charges in 2021.

Leopard, 77, received an active sentence of between 59-131 months in prison for attempted second-degree forcible sex offense along with 59-131 months for attempted second-degree forcible sex offense consolidated with a crimes against nature charge. The two sentences will run consecutively.

The Albemarle resident was arrested in 2021 on numerous charges related to child sex crimes including indecent liberties with a child and statutory sex offense with a person 15 years or younger.

Leopard is currently residing at the Stanly County Jail, Efird said, until the Department of Adult Corrections picks him up.

About Chris Miller

Chris Miller has been with the SNAP since January 2019. He is a graduate of NC State and received his Master's in Journalism from the University of Maryland. He previously wrote for the Capital News Service in Annapolis, where many of his stories on immigration and culture were published in national papers via the AP wire.

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