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NC Smithfield's employee pleads guilty to asking underage coworker to perform sexual acts for money

"We often see grooming behavior where offenders attempt to normalize sexual conversation with young people in an attempt to later engage in sexual activity with them," said Connie Jordan, prosecutor in the case.

Posted 2022-08-12T13:53:30+00:00 - Updated 2022-08-12T17:34:05+00:00

A North Carolina Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q employee pleaded guilty to grooming one of his underage coworkers and asking her to perform sexual acts for money, according to the New Hanover County District Attorney's Office.

Gregory Jackson, now a New York resident, was charged with soliciting a minor for prostitution and sentenced to serve six months in jail followed by 48 months of supervised probation.

The New Hanover County DA's office said Jackson made sexual comments to a 17-year-old coworker, aggressively hugged her and asked her to perform sex acts.

“We often see grooming behavior where offenders attempt to normalize sexual conversation with young people in an attempt to later engage in sexual activity with them,” said Connie Jordan, prosecutor in the Jackson case.

The 17-year-old girl told her father about what was happening, and her father reported the behavior to the Smithfield's restaurant.

The District Attorney's office said Smithfield's fired Jackson immediately and banned him from the restaurant when they learned about his behavior.

“Most children, and even adults, are not comfortable reporting these experiences," she said. "Offenders often expect victims to be uncomfortable enough to keep their actions secret and not reach out for help.”