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Suspects fight to get case reheard after busted by former Lincolnton detective

LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — A former police officer in Lincoln County busted a teacher, business owner and a former cop on child predator charges.

Those suspects are fighting for a new lifeline to get their cases reheard.

The district attorney said former Officer Brent Heavner tried to bring charges against a fellow Lincolnton police officer for soliciting a minor online.

But there was no crime because Heavner was pretending to be an adult woman, not a minor.

Some of people he helped to convict said the same thing happened to them.

Caleb Disorda is filing an appeal of his conviction for soliciting a minor online.

He said he went on Craigslist looking for a woman and connected with Heavner, a former detective, posing as woman.

"I think this story has just begun,” Disorda said.

Heavner's job was to go online posing as a child to connect with people hoping to meet children for sex.

"There is nothing saying I was looking for anyone underage or even younger than me,” Disorda said.

Disorda was still convicted.

Disorda's trial attorney said jurors want to protect children.

"It's easy to character assassinate somebody by saying they are after your kids,” defense attorney Lance Williams said.

Heavner arrested at least 54 people with online stings including a former police officer from out of state, a well-respected high school teacher in Belmont and a middle school teacher in Conover.

David Phillips, a defense attorney and certified legal expert, said some of those arrested have grounds to try to get their convictions overturned.

"You have an opportunity to show that this officer lacks credibility and that the fact that he may have entrapped people with the evidence presented," he said.

Phillips said a motion for appropriate relief can get some of them off the sex offender registry.

"Basically, get another shot at justice,” Phillips said.

The men said they are motivated to fight the charges, not just because they want their records cleared, but because they are now registered sex offenders.

That affects their jobs, where they can live and work, and how others in the community view them.

Heavner's attorney said they have no comment on the matter.