BURGAW, N.C. -- A North Carolina man has pleaded guilty to charges by police that he sexually abused six children over the span of 23 years. 

  • Officials say Garner sexually assaulted five children between 1993 and 2006.
  • In 2016, authorities identified a sixth child victim.
  • Many of Garner's victims, now in their 30s, attended his sentencing.

News sources report District Attorney Ben David says in a news release that 71-year-old Haywood Elwood Garner of Hampstead pleaded guilty this week to multiple charges, including indecent liberties with a child and first-degree sex offense. 

According to the news release, Garner sexually assaulted five children between 1993 and 2006. The Pender County Sheriff's Office investigated reports of the assaults, but investigators weren't able to gather enough evidence to pursue charges.

In 2016, authorities identified a sixth child victim. An investigator was able to connect the assaults and find similarities between the victims.

Many of Garner's victims, now in their 30s, attended his sentencing and gave impact statements in court.