Gov. Mike Easley and Mark Lunsford were in Gastonia on Monday to announce the signing of the Jessica Lunsford Act into law.
GASTONIA, N.C. -- North Carolina became the 43rd state to have a law that strengthens the penalties that sex offenders face, as Gov. Mike Easley signed the Jessica Lunsford Act on Monday afternoon.
Members of the group called Jessica’s Law North Carolina have spent years asking lawmakers to pass the act that’s named after 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford. The former Gaston County girl was raped and killed in 2005.
The bill made its way through the state House and Senate last week. Advocates for the law say it has taken a while to get to the governor, but they’re glad it’s finally there.
“You stay focused on your fight; who you’re going to save and who you’re going to protect and it just kind of helps you get through what you’ve got to get through,” said Jessica’s father, Mark Lunsford, who has traveled the country to help 42 other states adopt a similar law.
News 14 Carolina's Johnell Johnson has more on the new sex offender law in this report.
The law imposes harsher penalties on those who commit sex crimes against children under the age of 13. First, they’ll face at least 25 years in prison. Then, if they are released the individual would be monitored by GPS for the rest of their lives.
“This bill shows that North Carolina is serious about dealing with child predators,” said state Rep. Tim Moore, who co-sponsored the bill. “These offenders are the most dangerous ones.”
Lunsford hopes the bill sends a clear message to would-be child predators.
“I want these predators and these offenders to know one thing -- I’m glad you hate me and I’m glad you want me dead but I’ll get you before you get me,” he said.
Lunsford presented the governor with a pink wristband in honor of signing of the bill.