Man convicted of sneaking into Lincoln County

LINCOLNTON, N.C. — A Lincoln County business owner has been sentenced to prison for secretly spying on a 13-year-old relative in his care, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said.

Patrick Ravens, 64, was sentenced to 31-107 months (2.5 to almost 9 years) in prison on Thursday.

Ravens is the owner of Lawnmower Sales and Services in Maiden, North Carolina. At the business, he placed spy cameras in the bathroom with the intention of taking revealing photos of a 13-year-old female relative in his care, officials said. He then made multiple copies of the spy videos for his own personal use.

An investigation into the incident was launched on March 26, 2023.

Ravens was convicted of the crime of peeping, sexual exploitation of a minor in the second degree, and sexual exploitation of a minor in the third degree. He must register as a sex offender for 30 years.