Local

Former NC trooper guilty of sex crimes against children

ALBEMARLE, N.C. — A Stanly County jury found a former state trooper guilty of sex crimes against children.

James Leopard, of Albemarle, was on trial this week after being arrested on a dozen charges related to child sex crimes in 2021.

The 77-year-old former highway patrolman was already a convicted sex offender and served time in prison from 2004 to 2005.

The jury began deliberation on Wednesday before reaching its verdict on Thursday.

(WATCH BELOW: Former police officer accused of trafficking drugs, including LSD, in Stanly County)