Residents call for resignation of Johnston Co. commissioner charged with child sex crime

Nearly a year after a Johnston County commissioner was charged with indecent liberties with a child, a group of residents is calling for accountability and his removal from office.

About 15 people met Monday night outside of the Johnston County Courthouse with signs in support of and condemning Richard ”Dickie” Braswell. They gathered before the scheduled Board of Commissioner’s meeting began at 6 p.m.

Braswell, 74, was arrested last June after a 13-year-old girl told officers at the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office that she had an “inappropriate interaction with an adult male acquaintance.” The incident reportedly occurred on April 18, 2022, according to court records.

Braswell made his first court appearance on June 30, 2022, and was released from jail after posting a $35,000 bond. He was also ordered to have no contact with the girl.

Monday, the gathering of both supporters and critics stood mostly silent along the sidewalk in front of the courthouse facing East Market Street in Smithfield.

Some held signs reading “Abusing kids is a crime,” “Braswell must resign” and “Who’s grooming who?”

Many on Monday said they think Braswell should resign or be removed, but they were reluctant to publicly voice their opinions.

After Braswell’s arrest, he remained on the Board of Commissioners and continued his run for election. He ran unopposed in November and secured over 50,000 votes.

Some residents say calls for Braswell to resign are timely as lawmakers across the country and in North Carolina consider measures to ban forms of expression that some believe to be harmful threats to children.

Braswell’s supporters were more vocal about why the commissioner shouldn’t step down. Bonnie McKenna, a Johnston County resident, said the commissioner is “good for Johnston County.”

Adam Stroud held a sign reading “Pro Braswell” as he stood with two children. He said he was there to “support a great man.”

Braswell serves the county’s District 3, which covers the areas of Princeton and Bentonville. He was initially appointed to the board in 2021.

Butch Lawter, the chairman of the Johnston County commissioners, told The N&O in a statement that they “respect the seriousness of the charges and accusations” against Braswell. Lawter said the board is following the state’s general statutes regarding the qualifications of a county commissioner. There is currently no recall process.

“We continue to have trust in the process of the judicial system,” Lawter said. “I also recognize that regardless of the outcome, there will be children and families whose lives are forever changed.”

‘Not a godly man’

Three residents spoke against Braswell during the public comment period of the commissioners’ meeting. Each were given three minutes to speak.

The seven-member Board of Commissioners is made up of six men and one woman. All attended the meeting.

Braswell sat quietly in his seat as each speaker came up to the microphone.

Martha Neal, a resident of Pine Level, share her personal story as a victim of child abuse.

“His crimes were covered up and he was harbored by the priest of the Roman Catholic Church,” she told the commissioners. “Much like the leaders of Johnston County are doing today harboring a pedophile amongst us.”

Neal said victims are often blamed for abuse “instead of the perpetrators.”

“Dickie Braswell, you are not a godly man, as your followers profess you to be,” Neal told the commissioner. “Sitting arrogantly before us, having stolen the innocence of a child.”

She ended her time urging the commissioners to convince Braswell to resign.

Erika Hall, a Clayton resident, said the commissioners should be commended for their positive impact on the county but there needs to be accountability.

“Conversely, any misstep or wrong-doing by an individual member of the board of commissioners could cause mistrust between taxpayers and this board,” she said. “The current generation is watching and experiencing how you govern Johnston County. What we witness today could be the future benchmark for our children and grandchildren.”

Allen Hall, a resident of Clayton, called for Braswell to resign. Hall told The News & Observer he was concerned about Braswell’s tenure on the board and the silence from other officials. Even if Braswell cannot be removed from office, Hall said he believes the commissioner should “recuse himself or step down.”

“It disgusts me to have to stand there in that room with him,” Hall said. “I really feel like it’s a conflict of interest. He’s a county commissioner. He’s in charge of people that are in this county and I feel like (commissioner’s) positions are influential, they’re powerful and with the charges brought against him, he shouldn’t be able to have that power.”

What we know about the allegations

According to divorce documents filed last month by Braswell’s wife, Loretta, the alleged incident involving the child happened at Braswell’s office. He allegedly “took the victim and her brother with him to work under the pretense of having them do some work for him, then sent the victim’s brother on an errand,” the documents read.

According to state law, incident liberties with a child is categorized as a Class F felony and has a maximum punishment of nearly 5 years in prison.

A person can be found guilty of the crime if over 16 years of age or older and at least five years older than the child and “willfully takes or attempts to take any immoral, improper, or indecent liberties with any child of either sex under the age of 16 years for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.”

This includes any “lewd or lascivious act upon or with the body or any part or member of the body of any child of either sex under the age of 16 years.”

Other allegations of abuse

Court documents show Richard and Loretta Braswell separated last June before his arrest.

Loretta Braswell filed for divorce on the grounds of intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional district and breach of fiduciary duty.

The case is pending in a Wake County District Court.

The divorce documents also allege that Richard Braswell first made sexual advances toward Loretta when he was 39 and she was 16. Loretta Braswell is now 51. They married in 2013, six years after their second child was born.

After learning about the allegations against Richard Braswell, Loretta Braswell left home with their daughter. Richard Braswell later sold their house for $1.5 million, the documents read.

Jack O’Hale, Richard Braswell’s Smithfield attorney, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The N&O on Monday.

Next steps

Court documents show the case against Braswell is pending. An administrative hearing is scheduled for May 2 in the Johnston County Courthouse and a jury trial date is set for Oct. 23.

After the meeting, Lawter told The N&O that he understood the residents’ concerns, saying that it was an “emotional issue.”

Some residents asked commissioners to pass a motion to remove Braswell from office. They used the example of a commissioner in New Hanover County who was found in contempt of court for failing to provide financial records.

Lawter said that they have found that action to be “ineffective.”

“For us, we haven’t seen that to be a successful option so we’re not going to pursue that at this time,” Lawter said.