Richard “Dickie” Braswell is on the Board of Commissioners for Johnston County, North Carolina, though unlike all the other commissioners, there is no “Learn more about the Commissioner” link for him. That may be because he has been indicted for indecent liberties with a child. She was thirteen and reported the incident to the Sheriff in June. He was arrested in July.
Incredibly, the voters of Johnston County re-elected him while he was indicted.
His trial is set for October, 2023.
UPDATE: October 2024; Braswell has been sentenced to prison for 20 to 30 months. He is finally removed from the County Commission. They have 60 days to find a replacement.
UPDATE: January 2026: Conviction overturned. Appeals court said judge erred in allowing testimony to the victim’s good character. Sent back for retrial.
- North Carolina E-Courts Portal: State of North Carolina vs. Richard D. Braswell (If you have to search yourself, he’s sued 200 people so you need to use the Advanced Filters and select Criminal Cases only)
- Restoration Media Johnstonian News: Johnston commissioner charged with “inappropriate interaction” with teen
- The Johnston County Report: Johnston County Commissioner Indicted On Indecent Liberties Charge
- WRAL News: Johnston County commissioner sentenced to prison for sex crimes
- The News & Observer: NC court overturns sex-crime conviction of former Johnston County politician
Raleigh, North Carolina · Friday, July 01, 2022