Buncombe County Man, 72, Sentenced to 12 Years for Child Sex Crimes

Carl Dennis Buckner confessed to the crimes before deputies ever arrested him. That confession, made ahead of his Feb. 6, 2025 arrest, set the course for a case that ended Monday when a Buncombe County judge sentenced the 72-year-old to between 144 and 233 months in prison, equivalent to 12 to 19.4 years, according to the Buncombe County District Attorney's Office.

Buckner pleaded guilty to attempted statutory sex offense and indecent liberties with a minor. The charges grew out of a 2025 investigation by the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office. His sentencing took place March 16, 2026.

Beyond the prison term, the court ordered Buckner to register as a sex offender for 30 years and barred him from any contact with the victim for the rest of his life, the District Attorney's Office said. Prosecutors also noted that the victim expressed agreement with the resolution of the case.

Buckner is an Asheville-area resident. At 72, he will be well into his eighties before reaching the minimum end of his sentence.