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A high-profile rape trial came to an end last week as Delmus Foss Jr., 67, of Kenansville was sentenced to life in prison. The sentencing took place in Duplin County Superior Court after Foss Jr., plead guilty to rape charges dating back to 1977 and 1984, and two counts of indecent liberties with a child from 2020.
According to the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, as the trial unfolded on its second day with district attorneys from the Fifth Prosecutorial District presenting evidence, Foss’ defense attorney approached the prosecution, expressing that Foss wanted to end the trial and plead guilty.
The investigation began in November 2020, in Beulaville when Foss’ granddaughter, 6, reported Foss’ improper sexual conduct. According to law enforcement, during the investigation it was also discovered that similar activity took place to the victim’s sister, another juvenile, age 12. Foss was arrested in 2021 and charged with two counts of indecent liberties with a child.
The Sheriff’s Office reported that when the news of Foss’ arrest became public, two more victims came forward. The third victim was Foss’ cousin, a 54-year-old woman, who alleged she had been repeatedly raped by Foss during her childhood. Authorities later determined the rape occurred in the summer of 1977.
The DAs announcement stated that the fourth rape victim was Foss’ niece, a 44-year-old woman who also came forward after the initial investigation came to light. According to law enforcement it was determined that the woman was raped in December 1984. The victims were 8 and 11 years old at the time of the offenses. Foss was arrested on May 2021 and charged with second degree forcible rape for the offense committed in 1977, and first degree forcible rape for the offense committed in 1984.
District attorney Ernie Lee shared in a press release that the case was particularly challenging due to its complexity and the need for extensive investigation uncovering the offenses dating back to 1977 and 1984.
“The investigation conducted by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office included multiple interviews of victims, daycare workers, and family members of the victims as well as travelling to various locations where the sexual assaults occurred. The juvenile victims were interviewed, examined and evaluated by the Child Advocacy Center in Greenville,” stated Lee, adding that his office dedicated many hours to preparing the case.
“This office is grateful for victims who come forward and report these crimes, even after years of suffering from such violent acts in order to seek justice for themselves and others, including family members. This was an effort made by all those involved, Sheriff Stratton Stokes and the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office who conducted the investigation, the courageous juvenile victims who initiated the investigation as well as the brave adult women who ensured that Foss Jr. faced the consequences of his actions from as long as 48 years ago,” Lee wrote.
Foss was sentenced to life in prison for the rape committed in 1984, an additional sentence of 20 to 50 years for the rape committed in 1977 and two consecutive sentences of 19 to 32 months for the offenses committed in 2020. He was placed on the sex offender registry and is currently in custody of the North Carolina Department of Corrections.
