24-05-2025
‘Unforgivable': Pembroke man charged with recording sexual crimes involving 12-year-old
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. (WBTW) — A Pembroke man is being held without bond at the Robeson County Detention Center after being charged with multiple sex crimes involving a 12-year-old, Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said Friday.
Zackary Helsel, 25, was arrested during a traffic stop and charged with statutory rape of a child by an adult, first-degree statutory sex offense, sexual act by a parent or custodian, first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, crimes against nature and concealment of a firearm.
'This was a very disturbing case that our juvenile detectives had to face. Crimes such as this, especially against children are among the most unforgivable offenses in our society,' Wilkins said. 'Videotaped sex acts against a 12-year-old child is as heinous as it gets.'
The Robeson County Sheriff's Office Juvenile and Criminal Investigations Divisions are continuing the investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Robeson County Sheriff's Office at (910) 671-3170.
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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.
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