Contributed

Bladen County Sheriff James A. McVicker said a search warrant executed today in the Lisbon area has resulted in the recovery of two stolen weapons, cocaine, marijuana and the seizure of two vehicles.

“Narcotics and Criminal Investigators along with a member of our K-9 Unit executed a search warrant at 6750 Airport Road this morning and it has lead to an arrest,” said McVicker.

“My investigators are making a concerted effort to visit every known drug dealer in Bladen County in the weeks and months ahead,” McVicker disclosed. “It is our goal to put as many of them out of business as we can.”

This morning’s search warrant led to the arrest of Tony Maurice McKoy, 39, of 6750 Airport Road, Clarkton. McKoy was charged with:

1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Marijuana
1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Cocaine
1 count of Felony Possession of Cocaine
1 count of Felony Possession of Marijuana
2 counts of Maintaining a Vehicle for the Purpose of Keeping or Selling Controlled Substances
1 counts of Maintaining a Dwelling for the Purpose of Keeping or Selling Controlled Substances
2 counts of Possession of a Stolen Firearm
4 counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
1 count of Possession of Non-tax paid Alcoholic Beverages
2 counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

McKoy was placed in the Bladen County Detention Center under a $705,000.00 secured bond.

LAURINBURG – Members of a sovereign citizen group faced charges Monday of gambling, manufacturing controlled substances and money laundering at illegal casinos in Maxton, Pembroke and Red Springs.  Vehicles, currency, marijuana, firearms and over 200 illegal gaming machines were seized during the raids.

More than 26 people of the Tuscarora Nation were arrested following a year-long multi-agency investigation that found the group operating three illegal casinos, an unlicensed police force and an indoor marijuana grow with multiple outdoor grows. The group was also making threats of war against law enforcement.

“Citizens living near the casinos complained of the illegal activity taking place and notified law enforcement,” said Terrance Merriweather, head of N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement, the agency that executed today’s search warrants. “This group openly expressed beliefs that neither the laws of North Carolina nor the United States applied to them, putting law-abiding citizens in danger. We hope today’s arrests provide a safer community for them.”

The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives worked with ALE on the year-long operation.

The casinos had one-arm bandit, Pot of Gold and other illegal gambling machines housed in blacked-out buildings with no clocks. The casinos operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week and all had heavily-armed security who were not only unlicensed, but using blue lights in their trucks.

Those arrested include the Tuscarora Nation’s leader, Kendall Locklear, his son, Keaton, the armed personnel at the casinos and other casino employees. Robert Chavis was arrested for two stolen guns.

“Most of the offenders arrested today were considered to be armed and dangerous and many have criminal records,” said Robeson County Sheriff Kenneth Sealey. “People living in those towns were scared of the activities taking place around the casinos. At the end of the day, this operation is all about community betterment.”

The casinos are located at 1345 Modest Road, Maxton; 129 Nancy Lane, Pembroke; and 1521 Opal Road, Red Springs.

In addition to the law enforcement agencies named above, others participated in today’s arrests including the Lumberton, Maxton, Red Springs Police departments, the State Bureau of Investigation, the N.C. and Virginia National Guard, campus police from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke; Department of Public Safety K-9 unit, Division of Motor Vehicles License and Theft Bureau.

This is an on-going investigation.

The following people were arrested for felonious operate, allow to be operated and keep in possession of illegal slot machines; and gambling:

Kendall Locklear, 57

Michelle Locklear, 46

Kendrick Locklear, 21

Micheal Locklear, 17

Fredrick Hawkins, 45

Timmy Oxendine, 46

Perry Locklear, 44

Timothy Jacobs, 44

Jeffrey Ingram

Keton Oxendine, 24

Jerry Oxendine, 59

Edith Oxendine, 55

Miranda Jo Dial

Robert Chavis, 62

Derena Chavis, 52

Felicia Campbell, 46

Dustin Warriax, 48

Richard Sampson, 44

Marcus Bullard, 19

Contributed

Sheriff James McVicker said recently that his Office has experienced a sharp increase in the reported sale of Heroin in the county as it becomes increasingly difficult for addicts to purchase prescription Opioids.

“We have seen a spike in the number of people we are arresting for heroin, meth and cocaine sales,” said McVicker. “People are turning to an alternative source to get their high now that prescription drugs are not so readily available in the area. We also expect to see an increase in the distribution of Crystal Methamphetamine and cocaine for the same reason.”

McVicker said some addicts are going to meth due to the increased use of fentanyl by dealers to cut their heroin with which causes more overdoses and deaths. “It is a vicious cycle,’ the Sheriff noted.

Arrested on June 24 were:

Mary Alice Bullock 44, of 102 Lennon Drive, Bladenboro, N.C. Bullock’s bond was set at $15,000.00. She was charged with:
1 count of Sell/Deliver Schedule III Controlled Substances (Suboxone)
1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Schedule III Controlled Substances (Suboxone)

Also arrested was Dustin Lee Keisler, 32, of 48 Rackley’s Place, Elizabethtown, N.C. Keisler was charged with:
1 count of Sell/Deliver Cocaine
1 count of Conspire to Sell/Deliver Cocaine
1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Cocaine
1 count of Manufacture Cocaine
1 count of Felony Possession of Cocaine

Keisler’s bond was set at $60,000.00.
The defendant was previously arrested on July 17, 2018 and held under a $100,000.00 bond for selling Heroin.

Narcotics Agents also arrested another Elizabethtown area man on July 25 for the sale of cocaine.

Agents arrested Genesis Lee Whitted, 56, of 75 Florence Drive, Elizabethtown, N.C. Whitted’s bond was set at $800,000 after he was charged with the following offenses:
1 count of Sell/Deliver Cocaine
1 count of Conspire to Sell/Deliver Cocaine
1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Cocaine
1 count of Manufacture Cocaine
1 count of Felony Possession of Cocaine

The Narcotics Unit and K-9 Unit also worked in the Bladenboro area on July 25, 2018. Multiple individuals were cited:

Lorenzo White, of Fayetteville was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was cited and released.

Kelly Renee Deaver, of Bladenboro was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was cited and released.

Joseph Allen Banner Jr, of Bladenboro was charged with driving while license revoked. He cited and released.

All of the investigations originated from citizen complaints Sheriff McVicker noted. “Our citizens are our eyes and ears in the community. When they call us with reports of suspicious activity we always follow up on it and many times it leads to arrests and seizures of drugs, money and weapons.”

 Contributed

Bladen County Sheriff James A. McVicker released information this morning concerning the execution of several search warrants.

“The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit has completed an investigation into the distribution of Controlled Substances in the Bladenboro and Dublin communities of Bladen County,” said McVicker.

During the investigation, it was determined by the Narcotics Unit that the below listed individuals were responsible for distributing Controlled Substances in and around Bladenboro.

This investigation originated from citizen complaints which prompted Narcotics Agents to the area of 419 Elizabethtown Road, Apartment 5B, Bladenboro, NC (Harmony Homes). Agents conducted multiple undercover purchases from the defendants in this investigation where Heroin was purchased.

At the conclusion of this investigation, on July 26, 2018, the Bladen County Sheriff’s
Office Narcotics Unit, Criminal Investigations Division, K-9 Unit, and Patrol Division executed three (3) search warrants in the Bladenboro and Dublin communities of Bladen County (419 Elizabethtown Road, Apartment 5B, Bladenboro, NC and 120 Third Street, Dublin NC (2 Storage Units).

Pursuant to the search, approximately 237.5 grams of heroin was seized. The street value in this seizure would be approximately $24,000.00. In addition to the heroin, $3,400.00 US Currency, and an AK-47 pistol were also seized.

The following individuals are now wanted by the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office.
Defendant # 1
Monte Lee Williams, 34, of 419 Elizabethtown Road, Apartment 5B, Bladenboro, NC
Charges:
1 count of Trafficking 28 Grams or More of Heroin
1 count of Sell/Deliver Heroin

2 counts of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Heroin
1 count of Manufacture Heroin
1 count of Maintaining a Building for the Purpose of Keeping or Selling Heroin
1 count of Felony Possession of Heroin

Defendant # 2
Takenya Darnetta Lennon, 35, Address: 419 Elizabethtown Road, Apartment 5B,
Bladenboro, NC.
Race/Sex: Black/Female. No Photo Available

Charges:
1 count of Trafficking 28 Grams or More of Heroin
1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Heroin
1 count of Maintaining a Building for the Purpose of Keeping or Selling Heroin
1 count of Felony Possession of Heroin

Defendant # 3
Deanna Kaye Bryan, 44, 277 Zion Hill Church Road, Bladenboro, NC
Race/Sex: White/Female. No Photo Available

Charges:
1 count of Sell/Deliver Heroin
1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Heroin
1 count of Conspiring to Sell/Deliver Heroin
1 count of Felony Possession of Heroin

Defendant # 4
Marcellus McLaughlin, 29, 210 E. 4 th Street Apt. 4, Dublin, NC
Race/Sex: Black/Male. No Photo Available

Charges:
1 count of Sell/Deliver Heroin
1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Heroin
1 count of Conspiring to Sell/Deliver Heroin
1 count of Felony Possession of Heroin

Sheriff McVicker asks the help of the public to locate these individuals. Anyone knowing
their whereabouts can call the Sheriff’s Office at 910-862-6960.

Contributed

Bryan

Thanks to the public’s help, one individual who was wanted on outstanding warrants for selling heroin has surrendered to the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office after learning through the media there were active warrants for their arrest.

Deanne Kaye Bryan of Bladenboro surrendered to law enforcement on Thursday and was placed in the Bladen County Jail under a $25,000 bond.

She is charged as follows:

1 count of Sell/Deliver Heroin

1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Heroin

1 count of Conspiring to Sell/Deliver Heroin

1 count of Felony Possession of Heroin

The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office is still seeking the whereabouts of three other individuals.

Contributed

McLauchlin

A second individual has surrendered himself to the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office after learning there were active warrants for his arrest for selling heroin in Bladen County.

Marcellus Ronquell McLauchlin of Dublin surrendered to authorities on Sunday. He is under a $20,000 bond.

McLauchlin is charged as follows:

1 count of Sell/Deliver Heroin

1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Heroin

1 count of Conspiring to Sell/Deliver Heroin

1 count of Felony Possession of Heroin

He will have a first appearance hearing in Bladen County District Court on Monday, July 30.

Contributed

Bladen County Sheriff James A. McVicker said a joint operation with North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Special Agents from District III Fayetteville and District I Jacksonville has lead to the arrest of a Columbus County man.

McVicker said that on Friday, July 27, 2018, the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit partnered with North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Special Agents to conduct an illegal alcohol distillery investigation in the Elizabethtown community.  Agents received a complaint via a social media post and arranged a purchase of Non Tax Paid Liquor (NTPL) and conducted an undercover purchase of 1 gallon of NTPL in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Elizabethtown. District III special agents and the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office conducted moving surveillance on the target and agents developed probable cause to conduct a traffic stop on the target vehicle in Clarkton.

After the stop and upon approach of the vehicle it was determined Jeremy Clark Powell, 37, of Whiteville had 2 additional gallons of Non Tax Paid Liquor in plastic jugs in plain sight in the back seat as well as a concealed weapon.  After agents spoke with Powell about the incident, Powell gave verbal and later written consent to search his property at 1204 Sam Potts Highway, Whiteville, North Carolina.

The consent search led North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Agents to an active liquor still in a small building in the back yard of Powell’s residence along with approximately 100 gallons of mash.  Powell was cited and released with Possession of Non Tax Paid Liquor, Possession of Alcoholic Beverages for Sale without an ABC permit, Selling Alcoholic Beverages without an ABC permit, Knowingly Use Real or Personal Property to be Used for the Manufacture of any Alcoholic Beverage, Manufacture Non Tax Paid Liquor an Alcoholic Beverage Without Obtaining an ABC Permit, and Sell or Possess Equipment for use in the Manufacture of Any Alcoholic Beverage.

“I constantly stress to my Deputies the need to cooperate with other agencies, both local, state and federal,” Sheriff McVicker said. We are all working to the same end and partnering is just another way to help us keep our citizens safe.”

RALEIGH – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced today that a federal court awarded a nearly $3 million judgment against Compassionate Home Care Services, Inc., Carol Anders, and Ryan Santiago for their participation in a fraud on the North Carolina Medicaid program in violation of the federal and North Carolina False Claims Acts.

The evidence at trial showed that between 2008 and 2013, Compassionate Home Care Services, Inc. billed the North Carolina Medicaid program $585,082.73 in fraudulent claims, including not only claims for services provided in violation of Medicaid policies, but also claims for services that were never provided at all. Anders ran the company and was responsible for the false billings. Worse, when the government began investigating, Anders and her son, Santiago, falsified hundreds of documents in an effort to conceal the fraud.

The federal and North Carolina False Claims Acts mandate that the government recover three times the damages caused by the fraud, plus civil penalties for every false or fraudulent claim. Applying those provisions and other applicable law, Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever, III awarded the government a judgment of $2,921,248.19.

Before the trial, Chief Judge Dever found that the defendants were liable for their participation in the scheme, concluding that the defendants “knowingly billed for services not rendered, knowingly billed for certain services provided to patients by unlicensed, non-certified aides, and knowingly billed for services provided to patients by close family members.” Chief Judge Dever also found that the defendants “falsified documents to conceal their obligation to repay the government and used false documents to support false claims previously submitted.”

“These defendants,” U.S. Attorney Higdon stated, “defrauded taxpayers of this State and this Country out of more than $500,000. They bilked a Medicaid program that is designed to protect children, the elderly, and the poor.” Mr. Higdon warned that “we will not tolerate providers who seek to fill their coffers with funds allotted to help people in need. We will not allow providers to undermine the solvency of our government programs to satiate their greed. We will continue to use every tool in our arsenal to aggressively pursue health care fraud, and to recover the taxpayer dollars lost to it.”

“When North Carolina’s taxpayers pay into the Medicaid program, they expect that money to be used correctly for people’s health care,” said North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein. “Instead, these defendants defrauded taxpayers by charging for services that were not provided. My office takes Medicaid fraud seriously, and we will continue to fight against misuse and waste.”

The investigation of this case was conducted by Financial Investigators and sworn agents of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation assigned to the Medicaid Investigations Division of the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office, and Special Agents with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. The Robeson County Sheriff’s Department provided substantial assistance in the investigation. The investigation and prosecution of this matter was handled in a partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of North Carolina and the Medicaid Investigations Division of the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office. Special Deputy Attorney General Stacy Race and Assistant Attorney General Lareena Phillips, both of whom also serve as Special Assistant United States Attorneys, and Assistant United States Attorney Michael Anderson, represented the United States of America and the State of North Carolina in this case.

The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit has completed an investigation into the distribution of Controlled Substances in the Quail Street/Martin Luther King Drive area of Elizabethtown said Sheriff James A. McVicker

During the investigation, it was determined by the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit that the below listed individuals were responsible for distributing Controlled Substances in and around Elizabethtown.

This investigation originated from citizen complaints which prompted Narcotics Agents to the area of 504 Quail Street, Elizabethtown, NC.  Agents conducted multiple undercover purchases from the defendants in this investigation where varying amounts of marijuana were purchased. This has been a known drug area for over 20 years.

At the conclusion of this investigation, on July 31, 2018, the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office and Elizabethtown Police Department served arrest warrants on the defendants.  The defendants in this investigation were arrested and processed at the Bladen County Detention Center.

The defendants in this case are brothers and have a history of selling and trafficking controlled substances.  Both defendants have served time in prison for controlled substances offenses.

Jamie Ballard was previously arrested on July 17, 2018, pursuant to a search warrant at 504 Quail Street, Elizabethtown, NC where Ballard was found to be in possession of approximately ¼ pound of marijuana.  Ballard was processed and released after he posted a $75,000.00 secured bond.

Ballard was re-arrested on July 31st and charged additionally with 2 counts of Sell/Deliver Marijuana, 2 counts of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Marijuana, 2 counts of Manufacture Marijuana. His new bond was set at $100,000.00

Ballard will remain in the custody at the Bladen County Detention Center until he is transferred to federal custody on outstanding federal charges stemming from this investigation.

Also arrested was Benjamin Ballard, 49, of 504 Quail Street. He was charged with 1 count of Sell/Deliver Marijuana, 1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Marijuana, 1 count of Manufacture Marijuana. His bond was set at $50,000.00.

On Saturday, July 21, 2018, James Gordon, 36, of 3401 Peanut Plant Road, Elizabethtown,  was arrested and charged with multiple controlled substance offenses after leading deputies on a brief chase following a vehicle stop near Elizabethtown.  During the encounter, Gordon threw an undetermined amount of marijuana from his vehicle and after being apprehended, was found to still be in possession of approximately 92.59 grams of marijuana and approximately 15 dosage units of MDMA/Ecstasy.  Along with the aforementioned narcotics, a vehicle and two cellular devices were seized. He was arrested on the charges of 1 count of Failure to Stop for a Stop Sign, 1 count of Flee to Elude Arrest, 1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Marijuana, 1 count of Manufacture Marijuana, 1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Schedule I Controlled Substance (MDMA/Ecstasy). Gordon’s bond was set at $53,000.00.

A search warrant was executed on Monday, July 30, 2018, on Gordon’s cellular devices and tied Gordon to conspiring to distributing marijuana in the Elizabethtown area with Jamie and Benjamin Ballard. Additional charges are pending.

A reward is being offered for a service dog that is missing in the Tar Heel area following a break-in on Friday.

“Someone broke in my home yesterday and stole my daughter’s registered service dog. We are devastated,” said Sarah Smith.

A reward of $500 is being offered for the return of the dog.

If you have any information regarding the missing service dog, call 910-225-2667.

Tabor City, NC – Columbus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Vice-Narcotics Unit have completed an investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in the Iron Hill community of Columbus County. As a result of the investigation, two individuals have been arrested and charged, along with a third individual who was wanted for unrelated outstanding warrants.

During the investigation, multiple undercover purchases of illegal narcotics were completed at the defendants’ residence located at 3094 Reynolds Road in Tabor City. As a result, CCSO Vice-Narcotics Unit along with the CCSO SWAT Team, executed a search warrant at the above address, on July 31st. During the search, agents located multiple dosage units of Oxycodone, multiple dosage units of amphetamines, multiple ounces of marijuana, and multiple firearms. All items were seized. When agents entered the residence, they observed multiple subjects inside of the residence actively engaged in the use of illegal narcotics. Lavonte Douglas Jordan and Leslie Brooke-Snowball Lance were both arrested and charged for the above crimes.

Scarlett Lynn Edwards was inside of the residence at the time the search was executed. Ms. Edwards was wanted on five outstanding warrants, including three warrants for failure to appear, a larceny warrant, and a trespassing warrant. Ms. Edwards was arrested and served the outstanding warrants.

Leslie Brooke-Snowball Lance, 29, of 3094 Reynolds Road, Tabor City was arrested and charged with one felony count of Trafficking Opium or Heroin, one felony count of Possession with the Intent to Sell and Deliver Amphetamines, one felony count of Possession with the Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana, one felony count of Maintaining a Dwelling to Keep a Controlled Substance and one misdemeanor count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $ 25,000 secured.

Lavonte Douglas Jordan, 24, of  3094 Reynolds Road, Tabor City, was arrested and charged with one felony count of Trafficking Opium or Heroin, one felony count of Possession with the Intent to Sell and Deliver Amphetamines, one felony count of Possession with the Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana, one felony count of Maintaining a Dwelling to Keep a Controlled Substance and one misdemeanor count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $ 25,000.00 secured.

Scarlett Lynn Edwards, 21, of 3094 Reynolds Road, Tabor City, was arrested and charged with three warrants for Failure to Appear, one warrant for Misdemeanor Larceny and one warrant for Second Degree Trespassing. Her bond was set at $1,750.00 secured.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – United States Attorney Andrew Murray announced today that a former Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Officer was sentenced to 25 years in prison on drug trafficking conspiracy and gun charges.  U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad, Jr. also sentenced Jamie Blunder, 50, of Charlotte, to five years of supervised release.

According to filed court documents, exhibits entered at Blunder’s trial, witness testimony, and today’s sentencing hearing, from 2002 to 2016, Blunder was part of a drug conspiracy responsible for trafficking large quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine.  Blunder and his network of co-conspirators transported and distributed the narcotics in Charlotte, Greensboro, N.C., Greenville, N.C., and elsewhere.  According to court records, Blunder did not utilize the Charlotte Douglas Airport to traffic narcotics, though, at times, he relied on his TSA position to avoid law enforcement detection while travelling between and within, the Jamestown, N.C., High Point, N.C. and Greensboro areas.  Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized at least eight firearms, more than two kilograms of cocaine and more than $150,000 in cash.

On July 7, 2017, a federal jury convicted Blunder of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Four of Blunder’s co-conspirators have already been sentenced.  Aaron Dixon, 41, of Greenville, N.C., was sentenced to 75 months in prison and three years of supervised release; David Pate, 45, of High Point, was sentenced to 67 months in prison and three years of supervised release; Samuel Little, 60, of Greensboro, was sentenced to 60 months in prison and two years of supervised release; and Irvin Lampley, 58, of Greensboro, was sentenced to 21 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Murray thanked the FBI for leading the investigation, the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, and TSA for their invaluable assistance with this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lambert Guinn and Dana Washington of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte are in charge of the prosecution.

NEW BERN – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced Joseph Luther Lewis, 29, of Fayetteville, North Carolina to 151 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Lewis was named in an Indictment filed on December 20, 2017. On May 15, 2018, Lewis pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.

On June 25, 2017, the Fayetteville Police Department (FPD) responded to a domestic violence call placed by Lewis’ girlfriend at the time. She stated Lewis lost $1,000 gambling, and for some inexplicable reason, Lewis blamed her for his loss. As a result, Lewis, armed with a handgun, traveled from Fayetteville to Robeson County and forcibly abducted her, and took her to a vacant house in Fayetteville, where Lewis planned to prostitute her to recoup his money.

During his girlfriends’ abduction, and while driving through Robeson County, she jumped from Lewis’ moving vehicle in an effort to flee from Lewis. Nevertheless, Lewis turned his vehicle around, pointed his gun at her, and forced her back inside his vehicle. Once they arrived in Fayetteville, Lewis kicked and punched her in the face several times.

When the FPD arrived at the vacant residence, her face was visibly swollen. She had a chipped tooth and scrapes on her nose and mouth, as well as abrasions to her feet, legs, and arms. She stated that prior to the FPD’s arrival, Lewis threatened to hit her with his handgun. As law enforcement approached the vacant residence, Lewis threw his gun in a wooded area. Lewis was taken into custody without incident. A search of Lewis’ vehicle revealed multiple gunshot holes in the rear and front of his vehicle. His girlfriend stated Lewis was involved in a gunfight with another drug dealer early that day in Fayetteville. Lewis’ firearm, a stolen 9mm handgun, was subsequently located in the woods where she observed him discard it.

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

RALEIGH – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that, Greg Bright, 32, of Turkey, NC, was convicted in federal court following a three day jury trial before Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever III. The jury found Bright guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (crack).

The investigation giving rise to the charges faced at trial began in 2013. Multiple and extensive investigative techniques were utilized throughout this case. The evidence presented at trial detailed a significant drug trafficking organization (“DTO”) that was built and lead by Antonio McKoy who was convicted by a jury on May 30, 2018. The DTO was responsible for supplying large quantities of cocaine and cocaine base (crack) in Eastern North Carolina. The investigation resulted in the conviction of 25 members of the McKoy drug trafficking organization that destroyed the quality of life in the small community of Garland in Sampson County.

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, U.S. Probation Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the North Carolina Departments of Revenue and Emergency Management. Assistant United States Attorneys Brad Knott and Toby Lathan prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

Hallsboro, NC – Columbus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Vice-Narcotics Unit have completed an investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in the Hallsboro community of Columbus County. As a result of the investigation, one individual has been arrested and charged. This individual was also charged for child abuse in a separate investigation.

Columbus County Sheriff’s Office received numerous citizen complaints of suspected prostitution and illegal drug activity occurring at 53 Valley Lane in Hallsboro. During the investigation, the defendant sold undercover operatives illegal narcotics from his residence. As a result, CCSO Vice-Narcotics Unit along with the CCSO SWAT Team, executed a search warrant at the above address, early this morning. When agents breeched the defendant’s door of his residence, the defendant, Stevan Trent Boone, was waiting for agents with a firearm in his hand. Agents quickly and safely disarmed the defendant, before continuing with the search. Inside of Mr. Boone’s residence, agents located cocaine, marijuana, Xanax, Oxycodone, stolen firearms, and additional firearms. All listed items were seized. Mr. Boone is currently on probation for prior drug charges. Mr. Boone was arrested and charged for the above crimes. Additional charges are forthcoming for probation violations.

On July 27th, CCSO received a report that a three year old child that had been in the care of Stevan Boone, had been abused. Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division investigated the incident. The child had bruises all over their body, back, arms, and legs. The child also had lacerations on their body and back. The child was treated at the hospital for these injuries. At the conclusion of the investigation, Stevan Trent Boone was charged with Intentional Child Abuse Inflicting Serious Physical Injuries.

Arrested was Stevan Trent Boone, 30, of 53 Valley Lane, Hallsboro, NC was arrested and charged with one felony count of Maintaining a Dwelling to Keep a Controlled Substance, one felony count of Possession of a Stolen Firearm, one felony count of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver Schedule IV Controlled Substances, one felony count of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substances, one felony count of Possession with the Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine, one felony count of Possession with the Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana and one felony count of Intentional Child Abuse Inflicting Serious Physical Injury. He was placed in Columbus County Jail under a $140,000.00 secured bond.

NEW BERN – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that today, Leroy Moore, Jr., 31, of Whiteville, North Carolina, was sentenced by United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan to 60 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Moore was named in a two-count Superseding Indictment on November 29, 2017. On January 24, 2018, Moore pled guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute 28 Grams or More of Cocaine Base (Crack).

On July 1, 2014, deputies with the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office conducted a license check point at an intersection in Whiteville. A Deputy made contact with a vehicle which was being driven by Moore. The deputies detected an odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle and noticed smoke coming from the vehicle’s center console. When asked about the smell of marijuana, Moore stated he had just extinguished his “blunt.” During a search of Moore’s person, several pieces of cocaine base (crack) fell from Moore’s pants leg. Moore also possessed three plastic bags containing cocaine base. During a search of Moore’s vehicle, several pieces of cocaine base, digital scales, an empty pill bottle, and .42 grams of marijuana were recovered. Laboratory analysis of the cocaine base that was recovered confirmed the total weight to be approximately 29 grams of cocaine base (crack).

This case is part of the United States Attorney’s Office’s 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 investigation of this case was conducted by the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina Crime Laboratory, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette handled the prosecution of this case for the government.

By Erin Smith

Update: Bladen County Commissioner Ashley S. Trivette entered an Alford plea in Brunswick County Superior Court on Friday afternoon. According to US Legal,  in an Alford Plea, the criminal defendant does not admit the act, but admits that the prosecution could likely prove the charge. The court will pronounce the defendant guilty. An Alford plea allows defendant to plead guilty even while unable or unwilling to admit guilt.

Superior Court Judge John Nobles sentenced Trivette based on the plea bargain. According the defendant’s attorney, Bill Powers, Trivette plead guilty to the DWI charge and the misdemeanor Child Abuse charge was dismissed.

She received 120 suspended and 12 months of unsupervised probation. She was also sentenced to “30 days” and Judge Nobles gave Trivette credit for time she spent in treatment. She was also ordered to pay a fine of $250 and court costs. She will have 90 days to pay the fine.

Trivette must also surrender her drivers’ license and is not allowed to drive “until authorized by the NC Department of Transportation’s Division of Motor Vehicles.”

Cumberland County District Attorney Ernest Freeman handled the case for the State. He told the court there was one aggravating factor in the case and that was the fact a child under the age of 18 was in the car.

Freeman read the facts of the case to the court. He said a Brunswick County Deputy observed Trivette’s vehicle on the side of the road and stopped to see if she needed assistance. According to Freeman, Trivette had stopped to input an address in her GPS device. Freeman said, in talking with Trivette, the deputy observed signs of potential intoxication. The Deputy called for a Trooper who responded and also noted possible signs of intoxication. According to Freeman the Trooper also noted a 5-year old child in the backseat.

After getting two positive breath samples, Trivette was arrested and taken to the Brunswick County Detention Center where another test was administered and Trivette blew a .10, according to Freeman.

Trivette was present during the proceedings. Following her court appearance, Trivette referred all questions to her attorney Bill Powers.

Speaking on Trivette’s behalf, Attorney Powers said, “She thought it was important to take responsibility both for herself and for her family.”

Attorney Powers said North Carolina’s DWI laws are “tough.” He added that his client did not get any special deals or special treatment. 

Trivette is a Republican Commissioner for Bladen County. Walter McDuffie, President of the Bladen County Republican Party, said about the plea, “This is news to me.”

McDuffie added about the charges, “It isn’t anything we are proud of and I am sure she isn’t proud of it either. She might decide to give up that seat, but I don’t know what she might do. I would just be guessing.“

RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announced today that his Office is “proud to partner with Homeland Security Investigations and other top-tier law enforcement agencies to pursue benefit fraud investigations and prosecutions. Immigration fraud is a significant national problem, and we need to address it with all available resources.”

Established in April 2006, these task forces, known as DBFTFs focus their efforts on detecting, deterring and disrupting both benefit fraud and document fraud. Investigators from a variety of agencies with expertise in different aspects of document and benefit fraud collaborate with U.S. Attorney’s Offices around the country to formulate a comprehensive approach in targeting the criminal organizations and the beneficiaries behind these fraudulent schemes.

“Immigration benefit fraud harms everyone who seeks to enter the United States lawfully by cluttering the system with fraudulent applications,” said Homeland Security Resident Agent in Charge Brian Padian. “Benefit fraud wastes government resources better spent on adjudicating legitimate applications. Document and benefit fraud task forces allow HSI/ICE to partner with federal, state, and local agencies to combat immigration fraud, protect the integrity of the immigration system, and punish those who profit from promoting fraudulent schemes.”

ICE partners with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Labor, Social Security Administration, and various state and local law enforcement agencies on these task forces.

“This task force expansion is another example of a DHS-wide effort to combat fraud” said Roxroy Collins, USCIS Atlanta District, Fraud Detection and National Security Chief. “Immigration fraud undermines the integrity and fairness of our immigration system and can provide dangerous individuals access to our country. Together with our DHS colleagues, we are committed to holding those accountable that commit fraud to enter or remain in the United States as well as on those who prey on immigrants with the false promise of services and benefits.”

“Passport and visa fraud are potential threats to our national security. United States passports and visas are among the most coveted documents in the world. Terrorists and criminals could use fraudulent passports and visas to enter the United States to commit acts of violence. Travel document fraud makes the United States more vulnerable to crime and terrorism, plain and simple,” said David Monroe, Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service.

Supporting these DBFTFs is ICE’s Forensic Document Laboratory, the only federal crime laboratory dedicated to the forensic examination of travel and identity documents, and its Cyber Crimes Center, and USCIS’ Office of Fraud Detection and National Security.

DBFTFs currently operate in 17 major cities including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Saint Paul, San Francisco, Tampa, Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia, and now Raleigh, North Carolina. During the 2017 fiscal year alone, Homeland Security Investigations initiated more than 601 criminal investigations that resulted in 459 indictments and 445 criminal arrests, along with 254 convictions and seizures totaling $5,911,875.

Document fraud refers to the manufacture, sale, or use of counterfeit identity documents such as fake driver’s licenses, birth certificates, Social Security cards or passports – for immigration fraud or other criminal activity. Document fraud also involves efforts to obtain genuine identity documents through fraudulent means and often supports the crime of benefit fraud.

Benefit fraud refers to the misrepresentation or omission of material facts on applications to obtain immigration benefits the beneficiary is not entitled to, such as U.S. citizenship, adjustment of status, employment, or visas. Because these benefits provide the ability to freely enter, work or reside in this country, they are highly valued by illegal aliens, terrorists, and other criminals.

Using fake documents and making false statements to obtain government benefits and vote in the United States is a threat to national security and undermines the principles, integrity, and fairness of all government institutions, programs, and our national immigration system. The coordinated interagency efforts of the DBFTF in Raleigh, North Carolina, will help prevent future abuses, while enabling the identification of criminals who make false statements, and utilize and manufacture false documentation.

RALEIGH – A Wake County Grand Jury has returned indictments charging inmate Jaquan Lane (#1449047) in connection with the violent attack on Central Prison employee Brent Soucier.

Lane, 23, is charged with Assault on a State Detention Employee Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury.

Soucier, a unit manager, was assaulted at the facility on June 19. State Capitol Police and the State Bureau of Investigation conducted an extensive investigation that was reviewed by the Wake County District Attorney’s Office.  According to investigators, information and evidence available indicated that inmate Lane assaulted Soucier using hands and fists in a vicious and malicious surprise attack.  Soucier was seriously injured and hospitalized. He was released from the hospital July 13.

“We appreciate the hard work on this case by law enforcement, the district attorney and her office, as well as the grand jury,” said Judge Reuben Young, interim chief deputy secretary for Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice. “The department will continue to fully cooperate with the investigators handling the very serious assault on Mr. Soucier and any additional criminal charges that may be forthcoming.”

Lane is in prison for his Jan. 14, 2015 conviction for robbery with a dangerous weapon, with a scheduled release date of Oct. 2020. He will remain in state custody pending trial on these new offenses. 

The investigation will remain open as there may be additional charges.

Sheriff James A. McVicker reported the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office had a busy start to the weekend. Sheriff McVicker said his Narcotics Unit began the weekend with a search warrant in the Rico Road area of Clarkton early Friday morning.

“My deputies, assisted by the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant at 253 Rico Road, Clarkton. During this search there were two arrests made and deputies recovered marijuana and weapons. Undercover buys of prescription medication were made previously at this address,” said Sheriff McVicker.

Arrested were Johnnie Norris Willis, 60, of 253 Rico Road, Clarkton. Willis was charged with one count of sell and deliver counterfeit controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver counterfeit controlled substances. His bond was set at $25,000.

Also arrested and charged was Nicholas Edward Mitchell, 38, of the same address. Mitchell was charged with one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver counterfeit controlled substances, one count of felony possession of marijuana, and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Mitchell’s bond was set at $10,000.

In an unrelated matter, narcotics investigators, on the same day stopped a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on NC 242 in the Ammon area. Investigators uncovered marijuana, Percocet, drug paraphernalia and two handguns during a search of the vehicle.

Caleb Scott Hall, 27, of 11623 Ludhorne Road, Roseboro, was arrested and charged with one count of trafficking Opium/Heroin, one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell, deliver Schedule II Controlled Substances, one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana, one count of felony possession of marijuana, one count of possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and one count of carrying a concealed weapon. Hall’s bond was set at $850,000.