Former Maiden Business Owner Convicted of Secretly Filming Minor, Lincoln County Case Concluded

In Lincoln County, the curtain has been raised on a harrowing case of invasion of privacy and child sexual exploitation. Patrick Junior Havens, 64, was sentenced to prison for multiple offenses, including illegally filming a minor. Havens, once the owner of 321 Lawnmower Sales & Services in Maiden, was sentenced to 31 to 107 months in the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections, WHKY reported.

The charges stemmed from evidence presented at trial that showed Havens had repeatedly placed hidden cameras in a bathroom in a home. The devices were intended to capture revealing images of an unassuming 13-year-old relative. According to WBTV, he made multiple copies of the footage for his own use. Havens’ sentence also includes a mandatory 30-year sex offender registration.

The discovery of the secret recording equipment was attributed to a family member who found two cameras in March 2023. Following the discovery, authorities executed a search warrant at the home, seizing additional cameras masquerading as phone chargers, along with other recording and electronic devices. QC News reported that while the recordings captured images of other individuals, only that of the teenage girl was replicated for Havens’ abuse.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation into the allegations against Havens, which led to the recent trials. The case was prosecuted by the Lincoln & Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office. Following the conclusion of the trial, the implications of Havens’ actions continue to resonate, sparking discussions about the invasion of privacy and exploitation of the vulnerable in environments they once considered safe.