Sheriff Accepts Plea Deal In Teen Rape Case
Sheriff Accepts Plea Deal In Teen Rape Case Save Email Print
Posted: 3:59 PM Nov 15, 2008
 Last Updated: 3:38 PM Nov 17, 2008
24 comments
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A former western North Carolina sheriff has pleaded guilty to reduced charges related to sexual incidents 20 years ago with underage girls.

Former Polk County Sheriff Chris Abril accepted a plea deal shortly after his trial began Monday in Waynesville. The Times-News of Hendersonville reported he pleaded guilty to solicitation to take indecent liberties with a minor.

He resigned as sheriff on Sunday.

Abril was charged in 2006 with five counts of statutory rape and one count of sexual offense related to incidents involving a 10-year-old girl and a 12-year-old girl. Abril has denied the allegations.

On Monday, an agent with the State Bureau of Investigation testified that a 12-year-old girl told authorities in 1989 that she and Abril had intercourse three times.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted by: TKO Location: NC on Nov 18, 2008 at 08:35 PM
NC State LE has had some hard hits with misdoings not being caught. Isn't there some kind of back ground check they do before hiring LE? If they do how do these people get through the cracks,is it a crap shoot process? Look at Hayden under investigation for 36yrs and nobody caught it? Just curious.
Posted by: Kim on Nov 18, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Plea deal my foot. He should be at Raleigh Central just like all the rest of the child molesters.
Posted by: C on Nov 18, 2008 at 05:14 AM
Mark, I'm right here. Re-read my original posts. I never said you were wrong. I simply said that he deserved a fair trial [which he got] and that if he were guilty he should be punished [which he will]. I also said that he deserved the benefit of the doubt like anyone else should get. So, you were right..and so was I.
Posted by: Same Standards Location: NC on Nov 18, 2008 at 03:20 AM
If this was a teacher you all would be saying remove him from the classroom until the situation has been cleared up. I don't see how this case should be any different. This should of been handled in 1989.
Posted by: Mark Location: Washington on Nov 17, 2008 at 09:55 PM
Where is C??... was I right??
Posted by: ACE on Nov 17, 2008 at 05:47 PM
Yes he will get to keep his retirement
Posted by: JohnLloydScharf Location: Salem, Oregon, USA on Nov 17, 2008 at 03:55 PM
I wonder if he was allowed to keep his retirement?
Posted by: Dwayne Location: Greenville on Nov 17, 2008 at 12:45 PM
We are not a Socialist/Communist run state yet. Innocent until proven guilty. I was charged with a crime that I did not commit. It took 369 days to be found "not guilty". During that time, my employer, my church, my own family treated me as guilty. When the truth came out, the damage to me and my children had been done. Again, innocent until proven guilty.
Posted by: Cat Location: Gboro on Nov 17, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Well,I responded to So there/Ungrateful. I thought it was ok.. I guess not. Let me try that again. I know officers that have gotten tickets, went to court, found guilty, paid fines. I know officers that have written other officers tickets. It happens. Uh, was not trying to accuse you of saying that ALL go into LE for authority. That would be kind of dumb since the laws change constantly to protect the criminals. We don't have as much authority as people think. I forgot what else I said. Something about probably not being on a pedastal, but definately held to a higher standard, but I guess either way, it rubbed somebody wrong. I was nice and respectful though.. Gah.
Posted by: Cat Location: Gboro on Nov 17, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Oh, and when I say people have a higher opinion of us than we have of ourselves, I'm saying that we are aware that we are human, and sometimes don't make the best decisions. Just like other people in every other profession. We have to make "judgement calls" all the time, and what I believe to be good judgement may not be what somebody else would believe to be good judgement. And in case you guys missed it in my original post, I did say that if this guy is guilty, he needs to pay for it, and I believe that with my entire being. People in LE aren't perfect.Like C said, wrong people do get in,& honestly, if he did it, idk how he ever became sheriff. He shouldn't have. This must be what Obama 08 4 prez felt like! HaHa!
Posted by: Cat Location: Gboro on Nov 17, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Just Curious, he is going to court. He just got the ticket a couple of weeks ago. He hasn't gotten out of it,and most likely will not. Believe it or not, I know a few officers who have gotten tickets, and had to pay all the crap that goes with it. Ungrateful/So there, And what about saying it all when I said an officer I work with? I'm saying he is an officer, and he got a ticket. Not accusing you of saying ALL go into LE to get authority. That would be a dumb reason! Everyday the laws change to protect the criminals, and make things more difficult for us. The criminals certainly know that. And that brings me to want to know. Pedastel probably is pushing it. Higher standards than most, dead on. You can't tell me that there can be a story about Joe Blow down the street that may or may not have done somehing,& there be a story about a cop that may or may not have done the same thing,& ALMOST everybody is out for blood on the cop & giving the other guy the benefit of the doubt.
Posted by: want to know on Nov 16, 2008 at 08:56 PM
What does it mean when a person working in law enforcement says "people have a mucher higher opinion of LE than we have of ourselves?" I'm not sure that Joe Q. Public had anything to do with that imaginary pedestal you mentioned in the 5:38 post.
Posted by: ungrateful on Nov 16, 2008 at 08:23 PM
To Cat..My post said, "in my opinion" .."MOST"..I didn't say "everybody"..You said it all when you said "an officer you WORK with"..
Posted by: C on Nov 16, 2008 at 08:08 PM
What's up, Cat ?! Good to hear from you again ! Thanks for explaining that a little better for me. You're right; LEOs are held to a higher standard, and no amount of pre-employment screenings will completely stop the wrong people from wearing the badge. However, I know that those few bad officers are FAR out-numbered by the ones that serve the public with honor and professionalism. To Mark: I see and respect your viewpoint, but this man at least deserves his fair trial like anyone else. If he IS guilty, I concur; punish him as anyone else would be, but let's see what happens. Hey, Cat, take care and stay safe!
Posted by: just curious on Nov 16, 2008 at 07:43 PM
hey Cat..what became of the ticket..did the officer go to court like the rest of us and pay court costs, fines,etc or were the charges dropped?
Posted by: Cat Location: Gboro on Nov 16, 2008 at 07:11 PM
Uh, "So There", an officer that I work with got a ticket just a few weeks ago, and not everybody goes in this field to get authority. Some do it to help ungrateful people much like yourself!
Posted by: so there Location: it doesn't matter on Nov 16, 2008 at 06:10 PM
To Al.."genuine concern for the communtiy for stepping down..what a crock..he should have done that back in 06..and as far as the lack of evidence, he said, she said..does that make him less quilty? and Larry..I haven't heard of too many lawmen getting traffic violations. In my opinion most that go into law enforcement do so so they can practice that authority that they crave..I commend these victims for coming forward..no matter how long it has been..
Posted by: Cat Location: Gboro on Nov 16, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Hey C! Ok, so here I go again! Law enforcement are held to higher standards, & don't get me wrong, if this guy is guilty, My God! Make him pay! But I have seen stories of alleged rape on here & people are saying "They slandered his name!" "What happened to innocent until proven guilty?" "I know that guy! He would never do that!" but throw a cop in the story, and its no holds barred! Throw him under the jail! No innocent until proven guilty. No "Well what if he didn't do it". None of that. People have a much higher opinion of LE than we have of ourselves, & the chance to knock one of us off our little pedestal that the public has put us on, is way too good to pass up! Not all are guilty of this, but there's definately a few out there! Thanks again,C! Larry, I couldn't have said it better! I commend you as well!
Posted by: Mark Location: Washington on Nov 16, 2008 at 04:57 PM
To C. Yep... I think he is guilty. If you run (stepping down from office) you are more then likely guilty. If he wasn't, he'd stand there and fight until it was over... watch and see if I'm right.
Posted by: C on Nov 16, 2008 at 02:57 PM
Mark, should'nt you at least give this man the benefit of the doubt ? I mean, would'nt it be more appropriate to say "being brought down for his ALLEGED past wrong-doings" ? It seems that, in your opinion, he's already been found guilty.
Posted by: Larry Location: Williamston on Nov 16, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Chris, Have you thought that maybe this is a blackmail issue. Al, Everyone is entitled to their Constitutional rights YES EVEN LAWMEN. Why is it that everyone else is innocent until proven guilty, but because they are law enforcement officers, they are guilty until proven innocent. Think maybe there is some hidden agenda here? Mary, So because someone makes an allegation, we are supposed to throw him in jail and throw away the key, because there MIGHT be other victims? MY GOD, NO WONDER NOBODY WANTS TO GET INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT. According to you three, if a law enforcement officer gets a traffic ticket he should lose his license and his job. If he is falsely accused, then he should be thrown in jail without any constitutional protections afforded to the most heinous criminals in the world. GET REAL PEOPLE.
Posted by: Mark Location: WashingtonNC on Nov 16, 2008 at 11:03 AM
"still man enough to go to court to defend his name"... I don't think he's got a choice in that! I would think (know) that criminal charges are taking him to court. It is a sad thing, a law enforcement officer - a Sheriff at that - being brought down for his past wrong-doings. I know another Sheriff in the east that may soon be there too, to join the other crooks and cons.
Posted by: Oh please Al.. on Nov 16, 2008 at 06:40 AM
So you think that after a 20 year accusation you should lose your job based on that?? Basically it will boil down to a "he said, she said" case. If they waited 20 years to file charges there could not possibly be any physical evidence left, no Doctor's to verify that the children were raped. So the children probably would have been scared stiff, what happened when they turned into adults? Why not report the crime 10 years ago in their 20's? Why wait until 20 YEARS after the alleged crime? I commend the Sheriff for stepping down on his own.. it shows he has a real genuine concern for his community and does not want them wrapped up in his trial. I do not see how he could have done any better as far as stepping down while he answer's to the charges and defends himself. Give the man a break, atleast after 20 years he is still man enough to go to court to defend his name! Good luck Sheriff!
Posted by: Mary Location: NC on Nov 16, 2008 at 12:31 AM
Way to long to wait for something like that to come up. If he is guilty how many other victims are out there? If he is not guilty why so long to clear the his name? Doesn't make sense to me. He is suppose to be protecting the people there, why wait to clear his name?
Posted by: Al Location: Rose Hill on Nov 15, 2008 at 06:13 PM
What in the world is going on? I know everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but give the Public a break! This Sheriff was charged in 2006 and he has been the police until Friday? Has anyone thought maybe the alleged victims are scared stiff of this alleged rapist? Has anyone thought this may have happened again? Hoiw safe can you feel knowing the Sheriff allegedly raped 2 underaged and he's still the LAW? No, he hasn't been proved guilty, but he is a Lawman. Sure, he has to support his family, but how about the alleged victims. The DA hasn't complained. I guess not, huh? I guess it is true: It's not what you know, but who you know. Are you telling me this city could not have gotten someone to replace this individual? I feel sorry for all involved, but especially for the alleged victims if this is really true. They are already feeling embarrassed and look upon as liars. Give the girls a break, at least after 20 years, they were brave enough to say something. Good Luck and JUSTICE!!!!
Posted by: Chris Location: Greenville on Nov 15, 2008 at 05:25 PM
Most people, myself included would have been LONG gone at the accusation of rape. I do not agree with the 20 year wait to charge someone with any crime unless the evidence was just not there 20 years ago such as DNA and other related technology that would be available now.
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