SALISBURY — A Woodleaf man was convicted of felony second-degree forcible rape this week in a four-day jury trial.

John Lewis Jackson Jr. was sentenced to over six to 12 years in prison by Superior Court Judge Lori Hamilton.

Jackson also was ordered to register as a sex offender and submit to satellite-based monitoring.

On July 24, 2016, detectives with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office were told that Jackson sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl. The victim said Jackson came to her house, held her down and raped her.

The victim called her sister and told her what happened. Detectives obtained cellphone messages in which Jackson apologized to the victim for the assault and asked her not to go to the hospital or police. When detectives spoke to Jackson, he said the sex with the victim was consensual.

In August 2016, Jackson was placed on the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office most-wanted list. He was arrested in Davie County.

Authorities at the time said Jackson was at a Davie County home and tried to run, but he was quickly arrested.

Rowan County District Attorney Brandy Cook said she appreciates the work of Assistant District Attorney Tim Gould in the trial and the thorough investigation by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.

Cook said her office was able to hold Jackson accountable for his criminal conduct because of the bravery of the victim, who testified in court about the intimate details of the crime.