Sheriff James A. McVicker said deputies with his office set up a license checking station on Chicken Foot Road in the Tobymory community of Bladen County Wednesday afternoon and in just a few short minutes made an arrest of an individual with a pound of marijuana and a concealed weapon.

“My deputies set up a license checking station Wednesday afternoon and one of the first cars to pass through had a strong odor of marijuana coming from it,” McVicker said.

“Deputies then had the driver pull to the shoulder of the road and did a search of the vehicle. This is when they found a pound of marijuana packaged for resale, $394.00 in US currency and a .38 caliber handgun.”

Arrested was Jeffrey Tyler Crawford, 24, of 423 Britton Street Whiteville, NC. Crawford was charged with one count of Carrying a Concealed Weapon, one count of Possession With Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana, and one count of Manufacturing Marijuana.

Crawford was placed in Bladen County Jail under a $10,500.00 secured bond.

A Whiteville man has been arrested on alcohol and drug charges following a raid Friday of a nightclub with a Clarkton address.

Ramon Jarver Currie, 26, has been charged with possessing alcohol for the purpose of selling, trafficking Schedule II narcotics, possession with intent to manufacture, sell, deliver marijuana, maintaining a vehicle for the purpose of selling controlled substances and possession of marijuana paraphernalia, according to a news release from N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement. Currie was being held in Columbus County Jail under a $104,000 secured bond.

Investigators were looking for a homicide suspect at 735 Mitchell Field Road, Clarkton, on Friday when they found the club, drugs and weapons, said Special Agent Brent Massey. The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office and ALE conducted a search of Club Moan.

Multiple cases of beer were sitting on the bar and two coolers were full of various malt beverages, more than the legal amount of alcohol allowed by law for an individual to possess on his property, according to the release. A vehicle on the property was searched with consent and agents found two loaded handguns, three loaded rifles, 159 grams of marijuana, 73 tablets of Naproxen, 80 of Oxycodone, six of Alprazolam, 41 of Opana, three cases of beer, 20 bottles of liquor and $16,613 in cash.

Authorities say Currie took responsibility for the items found in the vehicle.

In anticipation of the upcoming general elections, the Justice Department today provided information about its efforts, through the Civil Rights Division and Criminal Division, to ensure that all qualified voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots and have their votes counted free of discrimination, intimidation or fraud in the election process.

Civil Rights Division:

The Civil Rights Division is responsible for ensuring compliance with the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote and the criminal provisions of federal statutes that prohibit discriminatory interference with that right.

The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces the civil provisions of a wide range of federal statutes that protect the right to vote including: the Voting Rights Act, the National Voter Registration Act, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, the Help America Vote Act and the Civil Rights Acts.  Among other things, collectively, these laws:

*prohibit election practices that have either a discriminatory purpose, based on race or membership in a minority language group, or a discriminatory result, with members of racial or language minority groups having less opportunity than other citizens to participate in the political process;

*prohibit voter intimidation;

*provide that individuals who need assistance in voting because of disability or illiteracy can obtain assistance from a person of their choice;

*provide for accessible election machines for voters with disabilities;

require provisional ballots for voters who assert they are eligible but whose names do not appear on poll books;

*provide for absentee ballots for service members, their family members and U.S. citizens living abroad;

*require states to ensure that citizens can register through drivers’ license offices, public assistance and disability services offices, other state agencies and through the mail; and

*include requirements regarding maintaining voter registration lists.

The Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section enforces federal criminal statutes that prohibit voter intimidation and voter suppression based on race, color, national origin or religion.

On Election Day, Nov. 8, 2016, the Civil Rights Division will implement a comprehensive program to help protect the right to vote, including:

*The Civil Rights Division will conduct monitoring in the field at polling places around the country (locations for monitoring will be announced closer to Election Day).

*Civil Rights Division attorneys in both the Voting and Criminal Sections in Washington, D.C., will be ready to receive election-related complaints of potential violations relating to any of the statutes the Civil Rights Division enforces.  Attorneys in the division will take appropriate action and will consult and coordinate with local U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and with other entities within the Justice Department concerning these complaints before, during and after Election Day.

*Civil Rights Division staff will be available by phone to receive complaints related to voting rights (1-800-253-3931 toll free or 202-307-2767) or by TTY (202-305-0082).  In addition, individuals may also report complaints, problems or concerns related to voting by fax 202-307-3961, by mail to voting.section@usdoj.gov Email links icon and by complaint forms that may be submitted through a link on the department’s website: https://www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss.

*Complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place      should always be reported immediately to local authorities by calling 911.  They should also be reported to the department after local authorities are contacted.

Criminal Division and the Department’s 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices:

The Department’s Criminal Division oversees the enforcement of federal laws that criminalize certain forms of election fraud and vindicate the integrity of the federal election process.

The Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and the department’s 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are responsible for enforcing the federal criminal laws that prohibit various forms of election fraud, such as vote buying, multiple voting, submission of fraudulent ballots or registrations, alteration of votes and malfeasance by election officials.  The Criminal Division is also responsible for enforcing federal criminal law prohibiting voter intimidation for reasons other than race, color, national origin or religion (as noted above, voter intimidation that has a basis in race, color, national origin or religion is addressed by the Civil Rights Division).

The U.S. Attorney’s Offices around the country designate Assistant U.S. Attorneys who serve as district election officers (DEOs) in the respective districts.  DEOs are responsible for overseeing potential election-crime matters in their districts and coordinating with the department’s election-crime experts in Washington, D.C.

On Nov. 8, 2016, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices will work with specially trained FBI personnel in each district to ensure that complaints from the public involving possible voter fraud are handled appropriately.  Specifically:

*In consultation with federal prosecutors in the Public Integrity Section in Washington, D.C., the DEOs in U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, FBI officials at Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and FBI special agents serving as Election Crime Coordinators in the FBI’s 56 field offices will be on duty while polls are open to receive complaints from the public.

*Election-crime complaints should be directed to the local U.S. Attorney’s Offices or the local FBI office.  A list of U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and their telephone numbers can be found at https://www.justice.gov/usao/find-your-united-states-attorney?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss.  A list of FBI offices and accompanying telephone numbers can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss.

*Public Integrity Section prosecutors are available to consult and coordinate with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the FBI regarding the handling of election-crime allegations.

*Again, complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should be reported first to local police authorities by calling 911.

Both protecting the right to vote and combating election fraud are essential to maintaining the confidence of all Americans in our democratic system of government.  The department encourages anyone who has information suggesting voting discrimination or ballot fraud to contact the appropriate authorities.

On Monday, Oct. 24, at 9 a.m. a break in was reported at Southern Professional Counseling located at 306 West Broad Street in Elizabethtown.

Patrolman Joseph Butler, of the Elizabethtown Police Department, responded to the scene and made contact with the reporting parties who advised that someone had made entry into the business over the weekend by damaging and forcing open the back door. Patrolman Joshua Pittman of the Elizabethtown Police Department was able to develop Jason Neal Richardson, 43 years of age, of Aberdeen, as a person of interest in this case and relayed this information to investigating officer Butler. On Tuesday, Oct. 25, Patrolman Butler was able to establish probable cause and effect an arrest.

Officer Butler charged Jason Richardson for the misdemeanor breaking and entering which occurred at Southern Professional Counseling. The defendant, Jason Neal Richardson, is currently being held in Bladen County Jail under a $500 secured bond.

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The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office along with members of the North Carolina Probation and Parole began arresting suspects at 5 a.m. on Thursday morning. As of Thursday afternoon 21 individuals had been arrested and officials were still searching for five more suspects. In all 26 individuals were targeted in the operation. 

The arrests came as a result of an months long undercover operation, according to Bladen County Sheriff Jim McVicker.

“Operation Fall Harvest is the culmination of many months of hard work by my Narcotics Unit,” said McVicker. “My deputies, with the assistance of members of North Carolina Probation and Parole began an early morning sweep to arrest these individuals. My deputies have made numerous undercover buys over the past few months all over the county. We began our roundup this morning sending teams of officers across the county to wake these criminals, place them under arrest, and bring them to justice.”

McVicker said other criminals with outstanding warrants were also located and arrested during the roundup.

Marcus Cyril McKoy, 24, of 24 Pear Tree Road, Clarkton, NC was charged with one count of Robbery With A Dangerous Weapon and two counts of Second Degree Kidnapping that occurred on October 7^th in the Clarkton area. Bond was set at $76,500.00

Arrested and charged with drug violations were:

Marcus Jermil Blake, 33, of 111 Ranch Circle, Kelly, NC. Blake was charged with one count each of Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Acetaminophen Oxycodone a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Sell Acetaminophen Oxycodone a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Deliver Acetaminophen Oxycodone a Schedule III Controlled Substance: and Manufacture Acetaminophen Oxycodone a Schedule III Controlled Substance. Bond was set at $50, 000.00

Timothy Wayne Parker, 43, of 119 Sandy Ridge Road, Elizabethtown, NC. Parker was charged with one count each of Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Oxycodone Hydrochloride a Schedule II Controlled Substance, Sell and Deliver Oxycodone Hydrochloride a Schedule II Controlled Substance, Manufacture Oxycodone Hydrochloride a Schedule II Controlled Substance. Bond was set at $200,000

Aaron James Newkirk Jr., 40, of 799 Mitchell Ford Road, Clarkton, NC was charged with one count each of Manufacture Acetaminophen Oxycodone a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling to Sell Controlled Substances; Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Acetaminophen Oxycodone a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Sell Acetaminophen Oxycodone a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Deliver Acetaminophen Oxycodone a Schedule III Controlled Substance. Bond was set at $100,000.00.

Steve Donyell Leach, 30, of Apartment 30, Oakdale Homes, Clarkton, NC. Leach was charged with one count each of Possession With Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana; Sell Marijuana; Deliver Marijuana; and Manufacture Marijuana. Bond was set at $15,000.00

Anthony Lee Parker, 29, of 1007 NC 211 East, Clarkton, NC. Parker was arrested and charged with one count each of Possession With Intent To Sell and Deliver Cocaine; Sell Cocaine; Deliver Cocaine; Manufacture Cocaine; Maintain a Dwelling/Vehicle to Sell Controlled Substances. Bond was set at $50,000.00

Alfred Antonio Burney, 32, of 938 Porterville School Road, Clarkton, NC. Burney is charged with one count each of Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Marijuana, a Schedule XI Controlled Substance; Sell and Deliver Marijuana, a Schedule XI Controlled Substance; Manufacture Marijuana, a Schedule XI Controlled Substance; and Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling Place to Sell Controlled Substances. Bond was set at $10,000.00

Reginald Hatcher, 45, of 197 Graham Road, Clarkton, NC was charged with one count of Conspiracy to Sell and Deliver Acetaminophen Oxycodone, a Schedule III Controlled Substance. Hatcher received a $7,000.00 bond

Michael Clemmons, 58, of 312 Ivey Street, Bladenboro, NC. Clemmons was charged with Possession with Intent to Manufacture Sell and Deliver Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Sell Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Deliver Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Manufacture Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; and Maintain a Dwelling/Vehicle to Sell Controlled Substances. Clemmons is under a $10,000.00 secured bond.

Carlton Cornelius Pone, 42, of 40 Pear Tree Lane, Clarkton, NC. Pone was charged with Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling To Sell Controlled Substances; two counts of Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance; Sell and Deliver Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance; Manufacture Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance; Deliver Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance; Sell Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance. He received a $30,000.00 bond.

Dora Pone Johnson, 54, of 7654 Hwy 211 East, Clarkton, NC, charged with one count of Manufacturing Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Sell Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; and Deliver Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance. Ms. Johnson is under a $30,000.00 secured bond.

Clara Jo Shipman, 61, 197 Grand Road, Clarkton, NC, charged with Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Acetaminophen Oxycodone a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Sell Acetaminophen Oxycodone a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Deliver Acetaminophen Oxycodone a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Manufacture Acetaminophen Oxycodone a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling Place to Sell Controlled Substances. Her bond was $10,000.00

Michael Lamar McClendon, 33, of 2030 Mercer Mill Road, Elizabethtown, charged with Possession With Intent To Sell and Deliver Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Sell Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Deliver Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Manufacture Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance. Bond was set at $50,000.00

Treimain Davon Thomas, 38, 1003 Richardson Street, Elizabethtown, NC, charged with Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Acetaminophen Oxycodone Hydrochloride a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Sell and Deliver Acetaminophen Oxycodone Hydrochloride a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Manufacture Acetaminophen Oxycodone Hydrochloride a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Maintain a Vehicle/ Dwelling to Sell Controlled Substances; Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance;  Sell Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Deliver Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Manufacture Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance. Bond was set at $60,500.00

Jean Williams, 66, 200 Edgewood Street, Clarkton, NC, Charged with Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver, Oxycodone Hydrochloride, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Sell and Deliver Oxycodone Hydrochloride, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Manufacture Oxycodone Hydrochloride, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Acetaminophen Oxycodone Hydrochloride a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Sell and Deliver Acetaminophen Oxycodone Hydrochloride a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Manufacture Acetaminophen Oxycodone Hydrochloride a Schedule III Controlled Substance. Bond was set at $25,000.00

William James Purdie, 32, of 7123 Airport Road, Clarkton, NC, charged with Manufacture Acetaminophen Oxycodone a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Acetaminophen Oxycodone a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Sell Acetaminophen Oxycodone a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Deliver Acetaminophen Oxycodone a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Manufacture Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling to Sell Controlled Substances; Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Sell Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Deliver Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance. He received a $20,000.00 bond.

Terrell Monquiel Shipman, 37, of 2133 Twisted Hickory Road, Elizabethtown, NC, charged with Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Oxycodone Hydrochloride, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Sell and Deliver Oxycodone Hydrochloride, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Manufacture Oxycodone Hydrochloride, a Schedule II Controlled Substance. Bond was set at $5,000.00

Lubertha Lewis Drayton, 63, of 38 George W. Kelly Road, Clarkton, NC, charged with Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Sell Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Deliver Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Manufacture Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling to Sell Controlled Substances. Bond was set at $10,000.00

Obadiah Jones, 27, 146 Henry Jones Road, Council, NC, Manufacture Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Sell Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Deliver Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance. Bond was set at $20,000.00.

Curtis Riggins, 58, 237 Lacewell Street, Riegelwood, NC Conspiracy to Sell and Deliver Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance. Bond was $2,500.00

Tommy Datwan Collins, 26, 3098 Mercer Mill Brown Marsh Road, Elizabethtown, NC. Collins was charged with Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance; Sell and Deliver Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance; Manufacture Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance.

NOT ARRESTED TODAY WERE

Michael Monroe Matthews, 29, of 129 Merritt Road, Elizabethtown, NC. Matthews is charged with Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance; Sell Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance; Deliver Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance; Manufacture Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance.

James Tyrone Johnson, 30, of 36 George W. Kelly Road, Clarkton, NC. Charged with Possession With Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Sell Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Deliver Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Manufacture Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance.

Curtis Demetrius Gowans, 28, 88 West End Drive, Whiteville, NC, charged with Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Sell and Deliver Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance;  Manufacture Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Maintain a Dwelling/Vehicle to Sell Controlled Substances. No Photo Available.

Ramon Jarvar Currie, 26, of 1349 Rico Road, Whiteville, NC. Curries is charged with Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Acetaminophen Oxycodone Hydrochloride a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Sell and Deliver Acetaminophen Oxycodone Hydrochloride a Schedule III Controlled Substance; Manufacture Acetaminophen Oxycodone Hydrochloride a Schedule III Controlled Substance.

Morris Bellamy, 23, of 1622 Butler Mill Road, Bladenboro, NC. Bellamy is charged with

Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Sell Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Deliver Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Manufacture Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance.

RALEIGH – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announces a 49-count criminal indictment for Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Continuing Criminal Enterprise, Money Laundering, and Firearm offenses arising out of a Title III wiretap investigation in Sampson County.  The following defendants were indicted:

Antonio Kevin McKoy, 30, of Garland, NC

James Daniel McKoy, 51, of Garland, NC

Bryant Douglas Carr, 37, of Roseboro, NC

Andrekia Jolanda Parker, 23, of Garland, NC

Anthony Lee Barnes, Jr., 30, of Turkey, NC

Tony Chevallier, 30, of Turkey, NC

Jafa McKoy, 37, of Roseboro, NC

Deames Frederick Henry, 36, of Garland, NC

Earl Jeffrey Melvin, 38, of Roseboro, NC

Darryl Clifton McKoy, 34, of Garland, NC

Jabarr Ryeheine Rudolph, 37, of Clinton, NC

Brandon O’Brian Smith, 31, of Elizabethtown, NC

William Darrell Garner, 38, of Fayetteville, NC

Craig Anthony Melvin, 25, of Raleigh, NC

Braylynn Spencer, 24, Garland, NC

Greg Bright, 31, of Turkey, NC

Bryan Derrick Carr, 31, of Rose Hill, NC

Ryan Eric Carr, 30, of Clinton, NC

Donald Ray Garner, 43, of Clinton, NC

Derrick Tyrone Ingram, 33, Roseboro, NC

Derrell Eugene Wilson, 55, of Warsaw, NC

David Fitzgerald Williams, 35, of Garland, NC

Robert Antonio Parker, 30, of Clinton, NC

Harry Thomas Oates, Jr., 48, of Dudley, NC

Russell Condell Bell, Jr., 26, of Roseboro, NC

The indictment alleges that the defendants were part of a violent drug trafficking organization operating in and around Sampson County. 

  The charges and allegations contained in the Indictment are merely accusations.  The defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. 

The case is a federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) criminal matter being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Jacksonville Police Department, Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Probation Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the North Carolina Departments of Revenue and Emergency Management.

A reward is being offered after a golf car was stolen in Bladenboro this week according to Bladenboro Police Chief. A blue EZ Go golf cart was taken from a storage building at a home located on Village Street in the early morning hours of Tuesday, October 25th according to Chief Hunt.

A reward of $500 is now being offered for information leading to the recovery of the stolen cart and information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the theft. Hunt said anyone having information pertaining to the case may contact the Bladenboro Police Department at 910-863-3333 or contact the Bladen County Communications office at 910-862-8141 or 910-862-8142.

RALEIGH – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announces a 49-count criminal indictment for Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances,

Continuing Criminal Enterprise, Money Laundering, and Firearm offenses arising out of a Title III wiretap investigation in Sampson County.

The following defendants were indicted:

• Antonio Kevin McKoy, 30, of Garland, NC

• James Daniel McKoy, 51, of Garland, NC

• Bryant Douglas Carr, 37, of Roseboro, NC

• Andrekia Jolanda Parker, 23, of Garland, NC

• Anthony Lee Barnes, Jr., 30, of Turkey, NC

• Tony Chevallier, 30, of Turkey, NC

• Jafa McKoy, 37, of Roseboro, NC

• Deames Frederick Henry, 36, of Garland, NC

• Earl Jeffrey Melvin, 38, of Roseboro, NC

• Darryl Clifton McKoy, 34, of Garland, NC

• Jabarr Ryeheine Rudolph, 37, of Clinton, NC

• Brandon O’Brian Smith, 31, of Elizabethtown, NC

• William Darrell Garner, 38, of Fayetteville, NC

• Craig Anthony Melvin, 25, of Raleigh, NC

• Braylynn Spencer, 24, Garland, NC

• Greg Bright, 31, of Turkey, NC

• Bryan Derrick Carr, 31, of Rose Hill, NC

• Ryan Eric Carr, 30, of Clinton, NC

• Donald Ray Garner, 43, of Clinton, NC

• Derrick Tyrone Ingram, 33, Roseboro, NC

• Derrell Eugene Wilson, 55, of Warsaw, NC

• David Fitzgerald Williams, 35, of Garland, NC

• Robert Antonio Parker, 30, of Clinton, NC

• Harry Thomas Oates, Jr., 48, of Dudley, NC

• Russell Condell Bell, Jr., 26, of Roseboro, NC

The indictment alleges that the defendants were part of a violent drug trafficking organization operating in and around Sampson County.

The charges and allegations contained in the Indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The case is a federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) criminal matter being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Jacksonville Police Department, Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Probation Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the North Carolina Departments of Revenue and Emergency Management.

Bladen County Sheriff Jim McVicker is warning Bladen County residents of a scam telephone call involving a company called Unified Processing Service.

Sheriff McVicker said someone claiming to work for Unified Processing Service has been in contact with a pastor from the Tar Heel community and claimed the pastor owed money on a telephone bill from 20 years ago.  He said the caller advised the pastor he had to pay the debt.

“I told him not to listen to them,” said Sheriff McVicker.

McVicker advises anyone to not give out any personal information over the telephone.

The North Carolina Attorney General’s Office offers some tips on how to protect yourself from scams. To read more click here.

RALEIGH – Halloween is traditionally a time for ghosts, goblins and all things scary, but drinking and driving can cause true horror. The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program is launching its annual Halloween “BOO-ze It & Lose It” campaign to remind drivers that if you drink and drive, you could pay serious consequences.

“Halloween is a time for fun, but safety is our top priority,” said N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program Director Don Nail. “Everyone needs to know that drunk driving will not be tolerated by law enforcement, especially with the significant increase of pedestrians and drivers on our roads.”

In conjunction with the enforcement campaign, state officials will utilize the “Be Smarter Than That” campaign to provide easy access to safe transportation options for members of the public who plan to drink alcohol. The website BeSmarterThanThat.com allows users to designate a sober driver, download a ride app, find public transportation options, and find a taxi based on their location.

The N.C. Department of Transportation and Governor’s Highway Safety Program recommend following these simple tips for a safe Halloween if you plan to drink:

• Before you put your costume on, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night by either designating a sober driver, downloading a ride app, checking on public transportation availability or programming a taxi number into your mobile phone.
• Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to get you home.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact local law enforcement immediately.
• If you know someone who is about to drive or ride impaired, take their keys and help them make safe travel arrangements to where they are going.

The mission of the Booze It & Lose It campaign aligns with Governor Pat McCrory’s NC Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate all traffic-related injuries and fatalities through coordinated efforts with public and private partners in traffic safety.

Thousands of North Carolinians have taken the pledge to practice safe driving habits. Join them and find out more at NCVisionZero.org.

The Halloween “BOO-ze It & Lose It” campaign runs from Friday, Oct. 28 through Monday, Oct. 31.

Governor Pat McCrory announced today that the state is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Harvey Jolson Davis.

On December 24, 2015, the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office conducted a welfare check at Harvey Jolson Davis’ residence at 422 Main Street in Severn. Davis, age 85, was discovered deceased inside the residence. An autopsy determined Davis died due to blunt force trauma.

Anyone with information concerning this case should contact the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office at (252) 534-2611 or the State Bureau of Investigation at (919) 662-4500.

Fun and festivities isn’t the only thing that took place on Saturday, October 29th in Bladenboro during the Beast Fest. Two candidates opposing each other for North Carolina House of Representative District 46 had an altercation according to the Bladenboro Police Department.

Candidate Brenden Jones and Candidate Tim Benton both running for the North Carolina seat were spotted in the downtown area in front of Diamond Dave’s restaurant in an altercation, both calling out for the police to take charge of the situation according to law enforcement on the scene.

A report about the incident was made at the local police station. BladenOnline.com has reached out to both candidates for statements. Neither candidate has contacted us back at the time. More information will be provided when it is made available.

NC Republican Party Chairman Dallas Woodhouse said on Saturday night he is requesting the Democrat Party remove candidate Tim Benton from the ballot following an altercation that took place between Republican candidate Brenden Jones and Benton. The altercation occurred on Saturday evening in front of Diamond Dave’s Restaurant during the Bladenboro Beast Fest. A criminal summons has been issued for Benton.

“There is no place for that (type of behavior) in our parties,” said Woodhouse.

In a written statement from the NC GOP it reads, “The Democrat was apparently angry about recent NCGOP mailers comparing him to Hillary Clinton. ”

“We are just thankful that Brenden Jones, his wife, and nine year old daughter, who were all with him at the time did not suffer serious injuries. The Democratic Party of North Carolina should join us in seeking Tim Benton’s removal as a candidate immediately,” said Kami Mueller, spokeswoman of The North Carolina Republican Party.

Jones said, “It is sad. It really is.” He added that the town officials of Bladenboro have been very concerned and very apologetic over the incident.

Jones said that it takes someone with a very “thick skin” to seek political office. He added the he has never lashed out at anyone.

“I’m absolutely shocked at his outburst….I’m good, it’s just unfortunate,” said Jones.

Jones said that when he was confronted by Benton, he attempted to walk away. Jones said he had his hands in his pockets and turned to walk way when Benton threw a punch at him causing Jones to pull back and the blow caught him in the side of the mouth and jaw.

“I tried to walk away. It’s a sad day for District 46,” said Jones.

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“It is clear this mail piece sent by the NC Republican Party struck a cord with democrat Tim Benton, who objects to being connected to Hillary Clinton, even though they both seem to think they are above the law”

Dallas Woodhouse

NCGOP

RALEIGH, NC – Yesterday Brenden Jones was victim to an assault by his Democratic opponent Tim Benton while they were at a local family festival. Both are State House candidates for District 46 in North Carolina. A mail piece went out recently stating the similarities between Tim Benton and Hillary Clinton, which caused Benton so much strife that he verbally and physically assaulted Jones in public.

“There is absolutely no place for physical violence in our electoral system today,” stated Chairman Robin Hayes. “Tim Benton’s actions are completely unacceptable, and we call on the North Carolina Democratic Party to join us in denouncing this barbaric behavior. Mr. Benton should withdraw his name from the race immediately. We must lead by example, and Mr. Benton has no business representing any part of North Carolina after showing his true colors yesterday.“

Democrat Tim Benton has been issued a criminal summons and will appear in court on assault charges. Republican Brenden Jones was not charged and witnesses told local media the assault upon him was unprovoked.

“Mr. Benton was completely overwhelmed with misplaced anger because he was being compared to Hillary Clinton, the presidential candidate for his very own party. His inexperience in the political workings of a campaign caused him to assault Brenden and draw even more attention to his own problems. We have ran a clean and respectful campaign concerning the issues that matter most, and Mr. Benton’s actions yesterday are completely unacceptable and uncalled for.” – Mr. and Mrs. Brenden Jones

DETAILS OF THE ASSAULT

Yesterday afternoon Tim Benton spotted Brenden Jones at the local Beast Fest in Bladenboro, NC. He approached Jones very aggressively in front of families, while pushing his own grandson in a stroller. Jones tried to calm him down and asked if they could go across the street to get away from the growing crowd. Benton was spewing profanity, screaming in Jones’ face saying, “I’m going to kick your ass by the end of the day,” and repeatedly nudging his shoulder. The two men went to the other side of the road, meanwhile Benton left his grandson in his stroller on the edge of the street causing Mrs. Jones to divert her attention away from her husband to care for the child. Then Benton proceeded to sucker punch his opponent, Brenden Jones, while Jones kept his hand in his pockets the whole time. Witnesses flocked to Mr. and Mrs. Jones offering support. Countless bystanders apologized to Jones for the behavior of Benton and explained that his actions do not represent their town and its people.

Sheriff James A. McVicker announced the arrest today of the final suspect  involved in a home invasion robbery that happened on Saturday, October 15, in the Buckhead community of Bladen County.

“Africa Shipman, 35, of 1482 Jenkins Road, Clarkton, was taken into custody this afternoon by members of the United States Marshalls Fugitive Arrest Team. Shipman was located at the home of a relative in Las Vegas early this afternoon,” said McVicker.

“We requested the assistance of the Marshall’s Service after we received credible information that Shipman was on the run and had fled to other states. It is good to be able to reach out to fellow law enforcement agencies but federal, state and local to ask their help in bringing a wanted fugitive to justice.”

The case began Saturday night, October 15, when Gregory Skinner, 38, of 1823 Martin Luther King Drive, Elizabethtown, was dropped off outside the emergency entrance of Columbus County Hospital in Whiteville by a private vehicle. Skinner was pronounced dead at the hospital.

At approximately the same time, Bladen County Communications center received a call of shots fired and a home being struck by stray bullets near 735 Jacobs Loop Road in the Buckhead community.

Responding deputies went to the Jacobs Loop address and found Donwia Wayne Griffith, 38, of that address dead in the home. They also found two adult females and three minor children hiding in the home. The other victims were not injured.

During the course of the investigation, it was learned that several individuals conspired with Skinner to go to the Griffith residence and rob him. During the course of the robbery several shots were fired and both Griffith and Skinner were struck with rounds. Griffith died at the scene and Skinner died at Columbus County Hospital.

Now charged with murder and in jail are Tamara Rashonia McKoy, 30, of 11676 Rosindale Road, Council and Erin Victoria Pridgen, 29, of 164 North Singletary Road, Elizabethtown along with  Elijah Bruce Brown III, 37, of 4653 Mercer Mill Brown Marsh Road, Clarkton.

Shipman is currently being held in Las Vegas awaiting an extradition hearing. McVicker said he knew additional charges would be made on all those involved.

Raleigh, N.C. – Governor Pat McCrory announced today that the state is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Jahir Alexander Barrios.

On May 8, 2015, the Fayetteville Police Department responded to a report of shots fired at a residence on Torbay Drive in Fayetteville. Officers found 28-year old Barrios in the living room of the residence with multiple gunshot wounds. The investigation revealed an unknown subject knocked on the door of the residence and shot Barrios while he was standing in the doorway. The unknown shooter fled the scene on foot and left the area by unknown means.

Anyone with information concerning this case should contact the Fayetteville Police Department at (910) 433-1860 or the State Bureau of Investigation at (919) 662-4500.

NCGOP to Announce Doubling of Reward for Arrest in Firebombing of GOP Office 
Announcement to be Made Tomorrow Morning at Orange County Office Grand Re-Opening 

“The firebombing of a local political headquarters was clearly an act of intimidation and I’m going to do everything I can to find the individual or individuals who committed this assault on our democracy,” Governor McCrory said. “I remain committed to using every resource as governor to assist local authorities in this investigation.”

The North Carolina Republican Party is today announcing a $5,000 match to bring the total reward available to $10,000. The announcement will be made at the Grand Re-Opening of the GOP office at a new location just down from the firebombed location. 

“We are so proud of our Orange County volunteers who did not let this cowardly act of political terrorism shy them away from their right of free political speech and free association with fellow republicans,” said NCGOP Chairman Robin Hayes.

“This was an attack on all free thinking people. We are proud to stand with the Governor’s office and law enforcment as we continue to search for justice,” continued Chairman Hayes.

The Orange County office of the North Carolina Republican Party will hold an open house to thank the community for assisting the Party in rebuilding after the vicious act of political terrorism that destroyed the Orange County Republican Party Headquarters.

Donated funds have provided the new GOP headquarters state of the art security and video monitoring to deter future acts of political violence.  
 
The new office is located just a few hundred yards from the previous location that was firebombed and spray painted with hateful graffiti, which warned “Nazi Republicans” to get out of town.
 
Volunteers will also be receiving sample ballots and canvasing instructions as we move into the final stages of the 2016 election.

WHO:     Orange County GOP and NCGOP Leaders

WHAT:   Orange County Grand Opening and Open House and reward announcement 

WHEN:   Wednesday, November 2nd at 10:00-11:00 AM

WHERE: Orange County GOP
                385 Ja-Max Drive
                Hillsborough, NC 27278

The first week Bladen Booze It and Lose It campaign figures show a total of 109 total traffic and criminal violations.

Included in these totals were 15 occupant restraint violations, l DWI, 2 criminal violations and 91 total traffic violations.

Four people were arrested after a high speed car chase starting on Highway 87 in Elizabethtown ends in a wreck according to Highway Patrol Sgt. Matt Hardee.

Sunday afternoon around 3:30 pm a driver from Florida with three other passengers jumped the washout on Cromartie Road in Elizabethtown trying to flee from law enforcement according to Highway Patrol Sgt. Matt Hardee.

A rental vehicle with a male driver, around the age of 34 years old, was clocked going 85-90 miles per hour on Highway 87 by Trooper White according to Hardee. The driver turned on Cromartie Road during the chase not knowing the road was washed out during Hurricane Matthew. The driver’s vehicle jumped the washout hitting the drain tile and flipping onto its side according to Hardee.

All four people in the vehicle sustained injuries, none are life threading. All are facing charges. A large amount of alcohol was involved according to Hardee.

“It could have been much worse.” Hardee said.

The three passengers were all under the age of 21. No officers were injured during the pursuit.