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Hollars Sentenced To 150 Years In Prison

Last Updated on January 12, 2018 9:29 pm

*Press Release from Seth Banks – District Attorney, 24th Judicial District*

Boone, NC – On January 12, 2018, Jack Howard Hollars, age 71, was convicted of three counts of second degree sex offense and three counts of indecent liberties with a child. A Watauga County jury found Hollars guilty as charged after a three-day trial.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Mr. Hollars sexually assaulted a child who resided with him in the Vilas community of Watauga County. The assaults continued for several years and escalated in nature as the child grew older. In 2012, the victim gathered the courage to report the crimes to the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, which conducted an investigation.

The Honorable William H. Coward sentenced Hollars to serve 150 years in prison.

“By aggressively prosecuting Mr. Hollars, our community is sending a clear message to those who would harm the most vulnerable among us,” District Attorney Seth Banks said in a statement. “If you abuse a child, there can be no escape from justice. My office remains committed to tirelessly working to ensure that our children are protected from those who would prey on them. My appreciation goes first to the victim in this case who displayed extraordinary courage in coming forward to confront the man who assaulted her. I would also like to thank Assistant District Attorney Matt Rupp and Det. Carolynn Gragg of the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office for all of their hard work on this case.”

 

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