Smith

Sheriff James A. McVicker announced today the arrest of an Elizabethtown woman wanted by Bladen County for selling narcotics.

“The Whiteville Police Department arrested Antonia Nicole Smith, 30, of Elizabethtown Sunday on several outstanding warrants,” McVicker disclosed.

Smith was charged with Sell/Deliver Cocaine, Maintain a Dwelling for the Purpose of Keeping or Selling Controlled Substances, Manufacturing Cocaine, Possession With Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Cocaine, and Possession of Cocaine.

Smith was booked into the Columbus County Detention Center under a $50,000.00 secured bond. She will be transferred to Bladen County to face the charges in District Court in Elizabethtown.

By Erin Smith

Malik Riggans

The attorney for one of three co-defendants in the murder Charles Leon Leach which took place at Ida’s Lane in Clarkton in December appeared in Bladen County Superior Court on Monday. Bladen County Resident Superior Court Judge Douglas Sasser heard arguments regarding setting bond for Malik Riggins.

Riggins’ Attorney, William Dowdy, appeared before Judge Sasser and requested the court consider setting an unsecured bond for Riggins. Dowdy argued that there was a blood card and other evidence collected at the crime scene and sent to a private lab. Dowdy told the court the tests performed by the private lab were inconclusive.

Dowdy argued Riggins, who is 25 years old, is facing the possibility of the death penalty or life without parole and the only evidence the District Attorney has is forensic evidence and the testimony of James McDowell.

Dowdy presented a motion for a bond hearing.

Bladen County Assistant District Attorney Quentin McGee said his staff is awaiting the results from the private lab. McGee also argued the state has sent forensic evidence including a blood card gathered at the crime scene to the SBI Crime Lab for analysis.

Judge Sasser said, “The court is not inclined to set bond at this time.”

He did say the court can revisit the issue after the lab testing is completed. The case was continued to August.

By Erin Smith

Harold Eugene Swindell

The attorney representing the man who is charged with the shooting death of Lonnie Level Smith was in Bladen County Superior Court on Monday. According to attorney Brooke Mangum, her client, Harold Eugene Swindell, has received a plea offer from the Bladen County District Attorney’s Office.

Mangum informed Bladen County Resident Superior Court Judge Douglas Sasser the Bladen County District Attorney’s Office offered a plea arrangement and it has been conveyed to Swindell. According to Mangum, the District Attorney’s Office has agreed to allow Swindell until August to make a decision as to whether or not he will accept the agreement. No details of the plea arrangement were given in court and his case was set for the August court session.

Swindell is accused of shooting Smith to death in May 2017 at Oakdale Homes apartment complex in Clarkton. The shooting occurred following an altercation in the Oakdale Homes parking lot and Swindell turned himself in to authorities the following Saturday.

Fayetteville PD Suspect 2

Fayetteville PD Suspect 1

Fayetteville PD Stolen Caravan

Fayetteville, NC— On Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at approximately 2:00 am, officers with the Fayetteville Police Department responded to the Econo Lodge located at 1952 Cedar Creek Road in reference to a reported robbery of a person.

The preliminary investigation revealed the victim was speaking to a female he recently became acquainted with in a breezeway at this location. The victim was then struck in the back of his head by an unknown suspect. The victim was then assaulted by a black male. The suspects left with the victim’s cell phone, laptop, wallet, and vehicle. The vehicle is a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan, white in color, and was displaying Florida registration JMGS45 at the time of the theft.

Detectives are requesting the public’s assistance identifying the suspects in this case and request anyone with information contact them. One of the suspects has been described as a black female, dark complexion, approximately five foot two inches tall, slender build, with a slight foreign accent. The female was last seen leaving the area in the victim’s vehicle.

Anyone with any information regarding the robbery, or the identity of the suspects, is asked to contact Detective J. Rauhoff with the Fayetteville Police Department at (910) 929-6890 or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477).  Crimestoppers information can also be submitted electronically by visiting http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss and completing the anonymous online tip sheet, or by downloading the FREE “P3 Tips” app available for Apple devices in the Apple App Store and available for Android devices in Google Play.

GREENVILLE – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that today in federal court, Senior United States District Judge Malcolm J. Howard sentenced Roderick McNeill, 23, of Lumberton, North Carolina to 40 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.

McNeill was named in an Indictment on June 22, 2017.  On March 12, 2018, McNeill pled guilty to one-count of Possession of an Unregistered Firearm.

On April 4, 2016, Lumberton Police Department officers responded to a complaint of shots fired in the vicinity of a business which had both a restaurant and convenience store in the same building.  Upon their arrival, investigators recovered a sawed-off, 8-inch long, Braztech 20 gauge shotgun, which was thrown on the roof of a church by McNeill. The shotgun had a makeshift pistol grip attached to the action and barrel, which was wrapped in electrical tape.  No serial number was visible on the shotgun and it was loaded with one live 20 gauge shotgun round. Investigators also discovered 3 rounds of .38 special caliber ammunition, one additional 20 gauge shotgun round, and a metal adapter which was designed to fit into the chamber of the shotgun in order to allow it to fire .38 special caliber ammunition.

On November 7, 2016, McNeill was arrested at his home in Lumberton on numerous outstanding warrants for charges that included conduct related to the possession of a sawed-off shotgun on April 4, 2016.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

In support of PSN, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina has implemented the Take Back North Carolina Initiative.  This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.

The Lumberton Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the conducted the criminal investigation of this case.  Assistant United States Attorney James J. Kurosad handled the prosecution of this case for the government.

GREENVILLE – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that a federal grand jury in Greenville has returned indictments charging Aquileo Perez-Pineda, age 48, of Mexico, Abel Ramirez-Uribe, age 33, of Mexico, and Pedro Vicente Sanchez-Jovel, age 34, of Guatemala, with Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien.

If convicted of Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien,Perez-Pineda, found in Harnett County, would face maximum penalties of two years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

If convicted of Illegal Reentry Subsequent to a Felony Conviction (possession of a controlled substance),Ramirez-Uribe, found in Robeson County, and previously deported twice, would face a maximum imprisonment term of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

If convicted of Illegal Re-entry Subsequent to an Aggravated Felony (conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 50 grams of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute in excess of five grams of methamphetamine), Sanchez-Jovel, found in Wake County, and previously deported twice, would face maximum penalties of 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

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

The cases are being investigated by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations.

By Erin Smith

A second man charged in the murder of a man on Ida’s Lane in Clarkton appeared in Bladen County Superior Court and had his case continued.

Raliek Tyree Lapaix is facing a charge of first degree murder in the death of Charles Leon Leach of Clarkton. He is scheduled to appear in Bladen County Superior Court on Monday, July 9th.

Lapaix is charged along with Gabriel James McDowell and Malik Sharmaine Riggans with robbing and killing Leach, 60, who lived on Ida’s Lane near Clarkton.

Whiteville, NC – Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Unit and Columbus County Fire Marshal’s Office have completed a joint investigation of a structure fire that occurred at 166 Johnny George Roadin Whiteville. As a result of the investigation, one individual has been charged for intentionally setting the fire.

On April 12, 2018, at approximately 6:30 am, the Columbus County Deputy Fire Marshall was dispatched to the residence on Johnny George Road in reference to a structure fire. Columbus County Sheriff’s Office was notified to assist with the investigation. The residence belonged to Thomas Baldwin of Whiteville. Mr. Baldwin allowed his nephew, Gebriel Jermaine Shipman, to reside in the residence. Mr. Shipman reported that he came home from work at approximately 6:30 am, to find that the interior of the residence had been burned.

Discrepancies during the investigation, led investigators to consider Mr. Shipman a person of interest. Mr. Shipman obtained a renter’s insurance policy in March 2018. However, throughout the investigation, Mr. Shipman lied to investigators about having an insurance policy. Mr. Shipman contacted the insurance company the same day as the fire, to initiate a claim. Investigators learned that the mortgage payments for the property were past due. Mr. Shipman was paying the mortgage payments directly to the lender. Therefore, Mr. Baldwin was unaware of any issues with the mortgage. On March 7, 2018, a representative from the mortgage company met with Mr. Shipman concerning the late mortgage payments. At that time, the residence was fully furnished with Mr. Shipman’s belongings. Investigators found the residence to be minimally furnished when they responded to the fire. The investigation revealed that Mr. Shipman had removed his personal belongings prior to the fire.

On April 11, 2018, Shipman used available materials to ignite the furniture, window coverings, and various other items inside of the residence. He then left the residence to burn. When he arrived home from work on the 12th, he dialed 911 to report the fire.

On June 13, 2018, at the conclusion of the investigation, Gebriel Shipman was arrested without incident at 105 Covey Run Apartments in Whiteville. He was charged for the above crimes. Mr. Shipman was processed at the Columbus County Law Enforcement Center. He was given a $10,000 unsecured bond.

“I would like to personally thank the Columbus County Fire Marshal’s Office, especially our Deputy Fire Marshal for assisting with this case. Together, we spent many hours investigating this fire. Your expertise, dedication, and professionalism were imperative in solving this crime. Thank you for your assistance,” said Columbus County Sheriff Lewis Hatcher.

Arrested was Gebriel Jermaine Shipman, 37, of 166 Johnny George Lane, Whiteville. Shipman is charged with one felony count of insurance fraud, one felony count of attempting to obtain property by false pretense, and one felony count of fraudulently burning a dwelling. Shipman was placed in the Columbus County Jail under a $10,000 unsecured bond.

By Erin Smith

The Elizabethtown Police Department is warning the town’s residents to lock their car doors at all times. Sgt. Detective T. Davis said the department has received six reports so far of someone entering unlocked vehicles on the east side of town and removing money.

“We urge everyone to please leave their vehicles locked at all times,” said Sgt. Davis.

He said the individual or individuals responsible have been checking car doors and have only entered the vehicles they found to be unlocked. None of the vehicles have been damaged and no other valuables have been reported missing, according to Sgt. Davis.

He said the latest incident happened on Wednesday night when a vehicle parked at a home across the street from the Knights Inn was entered and money was stolen.

Sgt. Davis asked if anyone has noticed any unusual activity in their neighborhood to report it to the Elizabethtown Police Department by calling 910-862-3125.

RALEIGH – Today, as the Department of Justice recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, reaffirms the Eastern District of North Carolina’s commitment to combating elder abuse and financial exploitation.  Mr. Higdon commented: “Our seniors deserve our best efforts to prosecute those who attempt to capitalize on their vulnerabilities.  As the Department of Justice continues to collaborate with other Departments to fight elder abuse on the national scale, the Eastern District of North Carolina continues to pursue justice for elderly victims in its district.”

Examples of our commitment to prosecuting crimes targeting our elderly citizens include the following:

On November 22, 2016, a grand jury in the Eastern District of North Carolina returned a 21-count indictment charging Treyton Lee Thomas with wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering.  The indictment alleges that Thomas defrauded individuals and financial institutions of more than six million dollars in an investment fraud scheme.  Thomas claimed he would invest the funds conservatively in US Treasury Bills.  Instead, Thomas made risky investments in commodities, futures, options, and foreign currency exchange.  For many years, Thomas concealed the losses with fictitious financial documents.  His elderly father suffered the greatest losses and, sadly, died during the investigation, at age 84.  Thomas’ father was forced into bankruptcy as a result of his son’s fraud.  He lost his successful automobile warranty business and his home.  The case is scheduled for trial, on November 5, 2018, before the Honorable James C. Dever, III.

On April 24, 2018, a grand jury in the Eastern District of North Carolina returned a 13-count indictment charging Elizabeth Ann Kriner Williamson, with ten counts of Bank Fraud, two counts of Aggravated Identity Theft, and one count of Mail Theft.  The indictment alleges that beginning in or around April 2015, and continuing until in or around June 2017, Williamson used her elderly in-law’s bank information to make unauthorized cash withdrawals and purchases in excess of $96,000.  If convicted of all counts, Williamson could face a maximum penalty of thirty seven years imprisonment, a minimum penalty of two years imprisonment, a $1,500,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  Her arraignment is currently scheduled for September 2018.

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

On Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at approximately 11:45 p.m., officers with the Fayetteville Police Department responded to the BP Gas Station located at 1899 Skibo Road in reference to a personal robbery.

The preliminary investigation revealed the victim was behind the gas station when he was approached by an unknown suspect. The suspect displayed a handgun and demanded the victim’s money. The victim complied with the demands and then ran to the McDonald’s to seek assistance and call 911. The suspect was observed fleeing the area on a bicycle heading towards Cross Creek Mall, where he later was seen on surveillance footage running through the mall with a mask and handgun.  The mall was closed at the time of the incident and the suspect caused damage to a glass door during the incident.

Detectives with the Fayetteville Police Department’s Robbery Unit have obtained surveillance photos from Cross Creek Mall of the suspect and are requesting the public’s assistance identifying him. The suspect is described as a black male in his late teens or early 20’s, wearing all black clothing and a black mask.

Anyone with any information regarding the robbery, or the identity of the suspect, is asked to contact Detective J. Sherbert with the Fayetteville Police Department at (910) 433-1500 ext 2904 or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477).  Crimestoppers information can also be submitted electronically by visiting http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss and completing the anonymous online tip sheet, or by downloading the FREE “P3 Tips” app available for Apple devices in the Apple App Store and available for Android devices in Google Play.

Investigators with Bladen, Columbus and New Hanover Counties located a stolen boat using the Bladen Air 1 Helicopter according to Bladen County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s office received a citizen tip about the missing boat.

The Sheriff reported responding to a wooded area off of Woodyard Rd in Columbus County.

The boat was reported stolen from Market 17 Marine in Wilmington on May 11th. The boat was valued at 40,000 dollars.

“Thanks to everyone for their assistance. Cooperation is key to solving cases and protecting our citizens,” Sheirff Jim McVicker said.

By Erin Smith

Photo courtesy Columbus County Detention Center

An Elizabethtown woman was charged with identify theft after a Whiteville Police Officer attempted to serve warrants for driving while license revoked and identity theft from Robeson County on June 16th.

According to Division Commander Major A. May, with the Whiteville Police Department, officers were contacted by members of the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office regarding outstanding warrants for Sasha Willis of Elizabethtown who is employed in Whiteville.

According to Major May, officers spoke with Willis and advised her she was under arrest for the outstanding warrants from Robeson County. Whiteville Police Officer J. Rawls recognized Willis from a prior traffic stop he had performed. However, she had given him a different name at the time of the traffic stop.

“Her license was revoked at the time (of the traffic stop). She gave him somebody else’s license when she was stopped,” said Major May.

The license had the name of Wyteshia Rogers, according to Major May.

She was arrested and charged by the Whiteville Police Department with identity theft, speeding, and driving while license revoked. She is facing charges in Robeson County of identity theft, driving while license revoked and misdemeanor conspiracy. She was placed in the Columbus County Jail under a $10,500 secured bond, according to Major May.

An Ivanhoe man who was already under arrest for outstanding warrants from Duplin County, is now facing a murder charge for the shooting death of Jamaris Pridgen.

According to reports, Pridgen’s body was found on Saturday, June 2nd,  in shallow grave just off of Wilbur Pridgen Road near the Harrells community. Lajona Demarrias Carr, 41, of Ivanhoe, was charged with Pridgen’s murder on June 22nd.

According to reports, Pridgen’s father received a telephone call on June 2nd stating his stepson had been killed and his body could be found in Sampson County. His stepfather searched for Pridgen and eventually located his vehicle, a Honda Civic, on CC Road near Garland in a wooded area. According to reports, Pridgen’s stepfather called 911 after finding the vehicle.

Carr was developed as a person of interest in the case, according to reports.

Carr, who was already being held in the Sampson County Detention Center on outstanding warrants from Duplin County, was arrested and charged with felony murder and felony robbery with a dangerous weapon in the shooting death of Pridgen. He is also facing charges in Duplin County of three felony counts of first degree kidnapping, one felony count of first degree forcible rape, felony first degree sex offense, and felony first degree forced sex offense.

Columbus C ounty Stolen Items recovered June 2018

Columbus County Stolen Items recovered June 2018 2

Columbus County Stolen Items recovered June 2018 3

Columbus County Stolen Items recovered June 2018 4

Columbus County Stolen Items recovered June 2018 5

Columbus County Stolen Items recovered June 2018 6

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) recovered approximately $115,000.00 worth of stolen property, last week.  The property was recovered in three unrelated incidents.

On June 20, 2018, Jeffery Lee Allen of Chadbourn discovered that his white 32 feet long, enclosed trailer had been stolen from his property while he was asleep.  Mr. Allen secured his 1968 Chevrolet Camaro race car, along with a generator, racing fuel, and other miscellaneous items inside of the enclosed trailer.  After contacting law enforcement, Mr. Allen posted pictures of his stolen property on social media.  Mr. Allen received a tip in reference to the location of his stolen property.  Mr. Allen immediately contacted the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office.  Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigators began investigating the tip.  The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office contacted Chadbourn Police Department to assist with the investigation.  The Chadbourn Police Department gathered evidence from their jurisdiction that assisted CCSO with locating the stolen property.  At approximately 1:30 a.m., on June 21st, CCSO Investigators located the stolen trailer and race car at a residence in Red Springs in Robeson County.  Mr. Allen’s race car was concealed in another enclosed trailer on the property.  All of Mr. Allen’s property was recovered except for a leaf blower, a memorabilia photo, and three tanks of racing fuel.  The trailer and the race car were not damaged during the incident.  The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the recovery of Mr. Allen’s property.  All property has been returned to Mr. Allen.  Charges are pending in this case.

“I would like to thank Sheriff Sealey and Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, as well as Chief Spivey and Chadbourn Police Department for their assistance during this investigation,” said Sheriff Lewis Hatcher.

On June 18th, Mr. Santiago Marquez Hernandez of Wilmington discovered that his black 6’x12’ enclosed utility trailer was stolen from a residential construction site in Leland.  The trailer housed numerous power tools and assorted miscellaneous construction items like hardware and hand tools.  Mr. Hernandez reported the larceny of the trailer and tools to Leland Police Department.  On June 22nd, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were performing routine  patrol on Macedonia Church Road in Evergreen, when they discovered a black utility trailer parked on the side of the road.  The trailer had two blown tires.  The trailer’s identification numbers had been removed.  CCSO Deputies and Investigators located a set of residential blue prints and a receipt for construction materials inside the trailer.  CCSO Investigators contacted the architect listed on the blue prints, gathering additional information from same.  CCSO Investigators also contacted the store listed on the receipt.  Their investigation revealed the identity of the trailer’s owner.  CCSO Investigators were able to make contact with the victim, Mr. Hernandez.  He identified his trailer and same was returned to him.

On June 19th, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office was contacted to assist Bladen County Sheriff’s Office with the recovery of a boat and trailer that they located using the Bladen Air 1 Helicopter.  The boat and trailer were located in a wooded area near Weyman Road in Riegelwood in Columbus County.  The boat and trailer were reported stolen in May 2018 from Marker 17 Marina in New Hanover County.  The property was recovered and returned to the owner.

Buffkin

Tabor City, NC – On June 28, 2018, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Vice-Narcotics Detectives were patrolling a known drug area in Chadbourn.

Vice-Narcotics Detectives noticed a vehicle leaving the area, driving erratically. The driver, James Eldred Buffkin, passed a Vice-Narcotics Detective’s vehicle in a curve, in a no passing area. The detectives initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle stopped near Emerson Road and Old Stake Road in Tabor City. When the Vice-Narcotics Detectives approached the driver of the vehicle, he was attempting to put on his clothing. He was wearing no pants. Vice-Narcotics Detectives searched Mr. Buffkin’s vehicle and located approximately 30 dosage units of Oxycodone. Buffkin was arrested and charged with the above crimes. He was processed at the Columbus County Law Enforcement Center where he was incarcerated with a $7,500.00 secured bond.

Buffkin, 68, of Pireway Road, Tabor City, NC 28463 is now facing charges of one felony count of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance and one felony count of Maintaining a Vehicle for Use, Sale, or Storage of Controlled Substance.

In December 2017, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Vice-Narcotics Detectives arrested and charged Mr. Buffkin for Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance and Maintaining a Vehicle for the Use, Sale, or Storage of a Controlled Substance. Mr. Buffkin was in possession of Percocet tablets during that incident. He is currently on probation for the December 2017 charges.

Update from Columbus County Sheriff’s Office as of 9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 29, 2018 READ MORE

Update as of 4:07 p.m. on Friday June 29, 2018:

A former Elizabethtown doctor with a history of reprimands has been arrested on charges he was operating an opioid distribution operation out of his Tabor city practice.

Jong Whan Kim, 72, and Tammy Thompson, 53, were arrested Friday on multiple felony charges. Thompson was the office manager and Kim’s reported girlfriend. The two were managing a large narcotics sales and distribution network in Columbus and Bladen counties, according to District Attorney Jon David.

In addition to the “pill mill”  out of Kim’s office, the pair used several homes in Columbus and Bladen to distribute narcotics and marijuana. Sheriff Lewis Hatcher said the duo were identified by multiple complaints from citizens starting in January.

Kim was charged with multiple counts of unlawfully prescribing oxycodone without legitimate medical reasons; maintaining a dwelling for drug activities; conspiracy to sell marijuana; trafficking opiates; and conspiracy to traffic opiates. Kim was transported to Columbus Regional HealthSource while being processed at the sheriff’s office Friday afternoon, and his bond is still pending. His address was listed as 8100 Twisted Hickory Rd., Bladenboro.

Thompson was charged with multiple counts of conspiracy to sell and deliver marijuana; sale of marijuana; conspiracy to traffic opiates and trafficking opiates; maintaining a vehicle and a dwelling for drug activities; possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; and sale and delivery of marijuana. Her address was listed as 2921 N.C. 410, Bladenboro.

The pair were arrested Friday morning and Kim’s medical office in Tabor City raided by deputies, narcotics officers and Tabor City Police around the same time.

Bond and booking information was not immediately available for either suspect. A first appearance is set for Monday in Columbus County Superior Court.

Kim did not contest a 2013 reprimand from the N.C. Medical Board in which he was accused of having improper relations with a patient.

Previous article: 

By Erin Smith

Columbus County law enforcement officials have shut down what they are calling a “pill mill”  scheme. The Tabor City Clinic of Dr. Jong Whan Kim located at 211 East Fifth Street was  raided on Friday and patients were escorted off the premises.

According to reports, Columbus County Sheriff Lewis Hatcher said officials received several complaints from citizens in January. During the course of the investigation officials learned Dr. Kim had schemed with Tammy Lynn Johnson to distribute medications from Dr. Kim’s clinic and from other properties owned by Dr. Kim. Law enforcement also learned during the investigation Dr. Kim was overprescribing medication for his patients.

The clinic was raided on Friday by SWAT and Vice-Narcotics members. According to reports, Kim is facing more than a dozen charges and Thompson also faces more than 20 felony charges.

According to information on file with the NC Medical Board, Dr. Kim has also held medical  licenses in Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. The North Carolina Medical Board entered a consent order against Dr. Kim in March 2013 for having an inappropriate relationship with a patient.

“On February 20, 2012, the Board received a complaint against Dr. Kim claiming that he had an inappropriate relationship with Patient A. At the time of the complaint, Dr. Kim had been treating Patient A for approximately four years for conditions that included pain, depression, insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder.”

As a result of that action, Dr. Kim was also reprimanded by the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services and that department placed conditions on his medical license in Wisconsin.

Previous Story

The office of a Tabor City medical doctor, who formerly practiced geriatric medicine in Elizabethtown, was raided on Friday.

According to reports, the office of Dr. Jong Whan Kim was raided by SWAT and narcotics team members as part of North Carolina’s efforts to stem the growing opioid crisis. Patients who were in the clinic at the time of the raid were escorted off the premises.

According to information on file with the NC Medical Board, Dr. Kim has also held medical  licenses in Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. The North Carolina Medical Board entered a consent order against Dr. Kim in March 2013 for having an inappropriate relationship with a patient.

“On February 20, 2012, the Board received a complaint against Dr. Kim claiming that he had an inappropriate relationship with Patient A. At the time of the complaint, Dr. Kim had been treating Patient A for approximately four years for conditions that included pain, depression, insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder.”

As a result of that action, Dr. Kim was also reprimanded by the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services and that department placed conditions on his medical license in Wisconsin.

BladenOnline.com will bring you more details as we obtain them.

READ UPDATED ARTICLE: 

https://bladenonline.com/doctor-and-his-girlfriend-arrested-for-pill-mill/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

A former Elizabethtown doctor with a history of reprimands has been arrested on charges he was operating an opioid distribution operation out of his Tabor city practice.

Jong Whan Kim, 72, and Tammy Thompson, 53, were arrested Friday on multiple felony charges. Thompson was the office manager and Kim’s reported girlfriend. The two were managing a large narcotics sales and distribution network in Columbus and Bladen counties, according to District Attorney Jon David.

In addition to the “pill mill”  out of Kim’s office, the pair used several homes in Columbus and Bladen to distribute narcotics and marijuana. Sheriff Lewis Hatcher said the duo were identified by multiple complaints from citizens starting in January.

Kim was charged with multiple counts of unlawfully prescribing oxycodone without legitimate medical reasons; maintaining a dwelling for drug activities; conspiracy to sell marijuana; trafficking opiates; and conspiracy to traffic opiates. Kim was transported to Columbus Regional HealthSource while being processed at the sheriff’s office Friday afternoon, and his bond is still pending. His address was listed as 8100 Twisted Hickory Rd., Bladenboro.

Thompson was charged with multiple counts of conspiracy to sell and deliver marijuana; sale of marijuana; conspiracy to traffic opiates and trafficking opiates; maintaining a vehicle and a dwelling for drug activities; possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; and sale and delivery of marijuana. Her address was listed as 2921 N.C. 410, Bladenboro.

The pair were arrested Friday morning and Kim’s medical office in Tabor City raided by deputies, narcotics officers and Tabor City Police around the same time.

Bond and booking information was not immediately available for either suspect. A first appearance is set for Monday in Columbus County Superior Court.

Kim did not contest a 2013 reprimand from the N.C. Medical Board in which he was accused of having improper relations with a patient.

Previous related article:

https://bladenonline.com/former-elizabethtown-doctor-arrested-as-part-of-opioid-crackdown/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

Yadkin County- As part of a continued investigation involving the May 21^st, 2018 death of North Carolina Trooper Samuel N. Bullard during a vehicle pursuit in Yadkin County, additional charges have been filed.  After consultation with the Yadkin County District Attorney’s Office and presenting their office with further findings related to Trooper Bullard’s death and the actions thereafter, the following additional charges have been made.

Mona Lisa Mullins

–           2 counts of Felony Obstruction

–           1 count of Possession of Methamphetamine

Michaela Harrison

–           2 counts of Felony Obstruction

–           1 count of Possession of Methamphetamine

–           1 count of Accessory After The Fact of Second Degree Murder

–           1 count of Aid and Abet Second Degree Murder

Dakota Whitt

–          2 counts of Felony Obstruction

–           1 count of Possession of Methamphetamine

Ms. Harrison received a $250,000 bond, while Ms. Mullins received a $100,000 bond.  Both Ms. Harrison and Ms. Mullins were served with the charges at the Yadkin County Detention Center, while Mr. Whitt will be served at a later time.  

Contributed

Sheriff James A. McVicker announced today the arrest of Kadeem Yorel Archie Bowden, 26, of 60 Robin Drive, Elizabethtown for possession and sale of marijuana following a two month long undercover operation.

“Narcotics Investigators arrested Bowden this morning when they executed a search warrant at this home on Robin Drive off of Owen Hill Drive,” said McVicker. “Many times we keep an operation going for an extended period when we are working these types of cases.”

McVicker said the search warrant that was served in conjunction with the arrest warrant resulted in several ounces of marijuana being seized an several thousand dollars in cash.

Bowden was charged with felony possession of marijuana, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver marijuana, maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of keeping or selling marijuana, and manufacturing marijuana. Bowden was placed in Bladen County Detention Center under a $75,000.00 secured bond.