A man was sentenced to up to 73 years in prison for sexually abusing a child, the Johnston County District Attorney's Office announced Wednesday.
On Monday, a Johnston County jury convicted Paul Richard Yenchik, 58, of Raleigh, on several sex crimes. It includes:
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- Five counts of statutory sex offense against a person 13, 14 or 15 years old
- Five counts of indecent liberties with a child
- Two counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor
- One count of extortion
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office said the convictions come after a week-long trial where the jury heard testimony, including a period of years during which Yenchik sexually abused a boy with autism.
Officials said the abuse came to light after Yenchik emailed the boy's mother, his now ex-girlfriend, a nude photo of the boy. According to officials, Yenchik threatened to release the photo if she did not reactivate his cellphone service.
Yenchik was arrested on Friday, May 2, 2025, in Largo, Florida, after the boy's mother reported him to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office.