Man wanted after not showing up at child-sex trial

Deputies said that Brian Keith Perry, of 714 George Trask Road, failed to show up Thursday for the second day of his trial for statutory rape, taking indecent liberties with a minor and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Perry was in court when the victim testified Wednesday about the alleged incidents in 2007, when she was 13 years old.

A judge issued an arrest warrant for Perry for failure to appear in court. If caught, he will be held under a $600,000 secured bond.

Investigators said they searched his Wilmington home and surroundings areas, but had not found him Thursday.

Perry is described as a white man, standing 5 feet, seven inches tall and weighing 170 pounds. His is bald and has blue eyes. He has three tattoos: a heart on the left side of his chest, a Chinese symbol or name on his left shoulder, and a knife and heart on his right shoulder.

Perry was on a 24-month sentence of probation for drug offenses handed down in January 2007, according to the state Department of Correction records. He has been convicted of crimes in New Hanover County seven times since 1987 and received probation each time.

Perry's convictions include indecent exposure and assault with a deadly weapon.