Lincoln County business owner convicted of spying

On August 22, a Lincoln County jury sentenced Patrick Junior Ravens, 64, of Lincoln County, to 31 to 107 months in prison for felony solicitation, spying, and sexual exploitation of a minor in the second and third degrees. He must also register as a sex offender for 30 years. Ravens is the owner of 321 Lawnmower Sales & Services in Maiden.

According to evidence in the trial, Ravens repeatedly placed hidden spy cameras in a bathroom at a residence to capture revealing footage of a 13-year-old female relative in his care. He made multiple copies of the footage for his own use.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, which was reported in March 2023. The Lincoln and Cleveland counties’ district attorneys’ offices handled the prosecution.