A Goldsboro man is in custody of local authorities charged with a number of weapon offenses.

Isiah Denzell Young, 26, of Stoney Manor Drive, is charged with Possession of Stolen Firearm, Possession of Firearm by Felon, Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

He was placed in the Wayne County Detention Center under a $ 12, 500.00 secured bond.

Officers say that during a checkpoint in the 1100 block of North Jefferson Avenue they smelt what they thought was an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle the suspect was driving. They asked him to pull over. Law enforcement officials say the driver then threw a handgun out the driver’s window. According to the Burlington Police Department the handgun was reported stolen.

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A Pikeville woman is in custody of local authorities charged with stabbing a local woman in the ribs with a pocket knife.

Wanda Dubois Crumpler, 45, of West Main Street was taken into custody and charged with Felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury. She is accused of stabbing Michelle Potter who authorities say reportedly hit Crumpler with a beer bottle. According to police, the altercation happened in the 700 block of North James Street.

Potter was taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital and then to Vidant Medical Center. Crumpler was taken to the Wayne County Jail where secured bond was set at $25,000.

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A Goldsboro woman is in trouble with the law after being accused of stealing at a local drug store.

Tamika Yolanda Mickens, 38, of South Leslie Street was arrested and jailed on charges of Felony Larceny and Defeating an Anti-Theft Device. According to police the merchandise stolen was valued at $23.99.

Police say the incident happened at the Rite Aid, 806 East Ash Street, Goldsboro.

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A Fayetteville man charged with a number of Hobbs Act Robberies and firearms offenses now faces his sentencing after being found guilty by a federal jury.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced that a federal jury in Elizabeth City found Smith Merinord guilty of three counts of Hobbs Act Robberies and for the use and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and the firearm was brandished.

Merinord and a co-defendant were named in an Indictment filed on April 29, 2015. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Merinord entered the Advance Auto Parts Store on Owen Drive in Fayetteville on November 2, 2013 armed with a small Uzi. He threatened the employees with the firearm during the robbery and raped and sexually assaulted a female employee before fleeing with cash.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office also says that later that day, Merinord and a co-defendant robbed another Advanced Auto on Roberts Avenue in Lumberton. Merinord again allegedly threatened store employees with the Uzi and fled with cash.

Federal investigators say that on November 16, 2013, Merinord and an accomplice entered the Red Lobster located on McPherson Church Road in Fayetteville and held the manager at gunpoint and stole cash before fleeing.

Off duty officers and other law enforcement apprehended Merinord and his accomplice in the CarMax parking lot located near the Red Lobster. Merinord reportedly had a small Uzi in his waistband.

At sentencing he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 57 years to life imprisonment on the gun counts and up to 60 years on the Hobbs Act Robbery Counts.

This case was part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative which encourages federal, state, and local agencies to cooperate in a unified “team effort” against gun crime, targeting repeat offenders who continually plague their communities.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Fayetteville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorneys Frank Bradsher and Peggah Wilson represented the government.

Photo Courtesy of The Robesonian.

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A local man accused in a Walnut Street burglary case is now in custody of Goldsboro Police.

Jerome Ceaser, 42, of Whitted Court faces a number of felony charges including Breaking and Entering and Larceny after Breaking and Entering.

He was arrested and taken to the Wayne County Jail where secured bond was set at $6,500.

Sunday morning officers responded to the call as the crime was reportedly in progress in the 500 block of East Walnut Street. Law enforcement officials say when they arrived they found Ceaser in a shed on the property and he had already removed a lawn mower.

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A Cumberland County man accused of conspiring to conduct an illegal gambling business is now in custody after being indicted by a federal grand jury.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Frank Talmadge Carter, 56, was arrested on June 8. On May 25 a federal grand jury in Raleigh returned a 2 count Indictment against Carter.

The Indictment charges Carter with Conspiracy to Conduct an Illegal Gambling Business, 18 U.S.C. § 371 (Count 1) and Conducting an Illegal Gambling Business, 18 U.S.C. § 1955 (Count 2).

If convicted of counts 1 and 2 (Conspiracy and Conducting an Unlawful Gambling Business), CARTER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years for each count and a maximum fine of $250,000 for each count or twice gross gain, whichever is greater. CARTER was a resident of Cumberland County at the time of the offenses charged.
Cumberland County Sheriff Earl R. “Moose” Butler stated: “The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office has always and will continue to strive to work in conjunction with local, state, and federal agencies to enforce the gambling laws of State of North Carolina and the United States.”

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

The case is being investigated by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Department of Homeland Security.

From The United States Attorney’s Office.

It appears police are gaining ground in their investigation of a number of automobile break-ins at a Goldsboro hotel.

Joao Martins Neves, a 30-year-old homeless man living in Goldsboro is now charged with two counts of Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle, two counts of Larceny, one count of Financial Card Theft, and two counts of Financial Card Fraud.

He was arrested and taken to the Wayne County Jail where secured bond was set at $10,000.

Goldsboro police say two vehicle break-ins were reported at a hotel located at 1003 Sunburst Drive. Authorities note the first incident happened on May 29 and the second on June 8.

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A Wayne County registered sex offender accused of illegal use of social media is now back in custody of local authorities after being arrested by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities say Dex Alancio Brown, 30, of Colonial Court was on Facebook using a fake profile which is in violation of N.C.G.S. 14-202.5.

He was arrested and taken to the Wayne County Jail where bond was set at $1,000.

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An accused marijuana dealer who law enforcement officials also caught with cocaine is now in custody of Goldsboro Police.

Hassan Dupree Best, 25, of South Becton Lane, is charged with Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana, Possession of Cocaine and Maintaining a Vehicle for a Controlled Substance.

He was taken to the Wayne County Jail where secured bond was set at $3,000.

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A convicted felon caught with a stolen firearm now faces new charges after being arrested by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.

George Eugene Brunson, 54, of Olivia Lane is charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Stolen Firearm and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Authorities found the weapon during a search at a local residence where law enforcement officials were investigating an illegal-drug complaint. Investigators also found a set of digital scales and other paraphernalia.

Brunson was then arrested and taken to the Wayne County Jail where secured bond was set at $10,000.

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A bicycle rider accused of stealing frozen meat from delivery trucks at Neese’s Country Sausage in Goldsboro is now in custody of police.

Roger Raynor, 55, of North George Street is charged with four counts of Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle, Larceny, 1st Degree Trespassing and Resisting, Delaying and Obstructing an Officer.

Police say Saturday just before midnight officers tried to contact the suspect on the bike in the area of “A” Street and North George Street. The culprit carrying a large bag filled with the frozen meat tried to flee but was later apprehended along railroad tracks near “A” Street.

Raynor was taken to jail where bond was set at $9,500.

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An accused drug dealer who led local authorities on a chase is now in custody charged with a number of illegal-drug offenses and traffic violations.

Eric Rowe, 42, of Johnson Branch Road, Goldsboro, is charged with Fleeing to Elude Arrest, Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance with the Intent to Sell and Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting a Public Officer, Driving While Impaired, Driving While License Revoked, Damage to Property, and Expired Registration.

Members of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office DWI Taskforce, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division – D Shift – and a member of the Goldsboro Police Department GHSP Traffic Unit were participating in a DWI checkpoint at the intersection of Wayne Memorial Drive and Hare Road.

Authorities say that just before midnight Rowe approached in his vehicle and stopped short of the checkpoint on the highway. The Sheriff’s Office report notes Rowe then made a U-turn in an obvious attempt to avoid the checkpoint and Deputy M. A. Bleyer began pursuit. After a few seconds with his lights and siren activated and the suspect refusing to stop, Deputy Bleyer advised over the radio of the pursuit.

Several deputies began in Deputy Bleyer’s direction to aid in the pursuit and apprehension of Rowe. A short time later, approximately ¼ mile, the suspect turned left into an apartment complex in the 3800 block of Wayne Memorial Drive. Deputy Bleyer attempted to arrest the suspect when he reportedly began actively resisting. This resistance resulted in the suspect gaining in distance from his vehicle as he was moving towards the apartments.

After a struggle Rowe was taken into custody. Authorities say located on Rowe’s person was approximately 28 grams of suspected cocaine, a digital scale, and U.S. currency. According to the law enforcement report, more suspected cocaine and medication was found inside the interior of Rowe’s vehicle.

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A registered sex offender is now in custody after Wayne County authorities arrested him for use of a social media account.

Jasper James Jackson, Jr., 39, of North Virginia Street was arrested and taken to jail where bond on the related charges totaled $12,500. Authorities say the Wayne County Sex Offender Registration Program became aware Monday that Jackson was using a social media site in violation of N.C.G.S. 14-202.5. He was arrested Tuesday.

Jackson was also served three warrants for Assault on a Female, Communicating Threats and Harassing Phone Calls. Authorities say these charges were secured by a private citizen. Law enforcement officials point out Jackson received no bond on the three charges because they are associated with domestic violence.

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A Dudley resident accused of stealing hunting equipment from a local sporting goods retailer is now in custody of local authorities.

Arron Christopher Menane, 24, of Pacan Road is charged with Larceny and Probation Violation.

According to Goldsboro Police, hunting bows valued at $900 were stolen.

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A Goldsboro man accused of selling stolen vehicles now faces justice after being arrested by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.

Joshua Ray Daniels, 22, of Parks Road is charged with a number of felonies including Larceny, Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Obtaining Property by False Pretense and Attempted Obtaining Property by False Pretense. Daniels is also charged with Providing Fictitious Information to an Officer after allegedly lying to a law enforcement official about his name.

Investigators say the Sheriff’s Office received a report of three vehicles that were stolen while parked at a local garage for repairs. The three automobiles were valued at $22,000.

One of the vehicles was located by the owner at a local salvage yard. Calls were made to other salvage yards and the remaining two vehicles were located. During the investigation, it was learned that one subject was involved in selling all three vehicles.

Daniels was taken to the Wayne County Jail where secured bond was set at $101,000.

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A teenager and his older girlfriend are now in trouble with the law after Goldsboro Police found heroin and took them to jail.

Authorities say Dustin Dee Ginn, 19, and Debbie Lancaster, 21, were both staying at the Irish Inns Motel when officers from the GPD Selective Enforcement Unit and Warrant Squad showed up Wednesday and confiscated nearly ten bags of Heroin.

Dustin Dee Ginn

Debbie Lancaster

Ginn and Lancaster were both charged with Possession of Heroin and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond for each was set at $3,000.

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A Goldsboro woman accused of stealing a valuable ring from a Seven Springs resident now faces related theft charges.

Rhonda Jo Grady, 45, who lives in an East Walnut Street apartment is charged with a number of felonies including Larceny, Possession of Stolen Property and Obtaining Property by False Pretense.

The owner reported to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office the ruby cluster ring valued at $1,500 was stolen from the Pineview Cemetery Road home. Authorities say it was later recovered at a pawn shop in Goldsboro where Grady got the money for the ring and signed a receipt pledging the ring was not stolen.

Grady was later arrested and taken to the Wayne County Jail where secured bond was set at $7,500.

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Wayne County authorities now have in custody a burglary suspect they believe was a part of a larger theft operation targeting area businesses.

Marcus Keont’a Lashley, 23, of US Highway 117 North in Pikeville is charged with four counts of Breaking and/or Entering, three counts of Larceny after Breaking and Entering, and two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Breaking and Entering. Authorities say those charges are related to crimes in Wayne County.

Lashley also faces similar charges in the Pitt County town of Farmville where a number of burglaries were also reported. Lashley’s felony charges there include two counts of Breaking and Entering, Larceny, Safecracking, and Conspiracy. Lashley is also charged with two counts of misdemeanor damage to personal property. Secured bond for all charges in both Pitt and Wayne totaled $200,000.

According to law enforcement reports, beginning around the first of the year, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department began investigating multiple cases of break-ins throughout the county. The subjects would typically walk up to the front door of a business in the early morning hours while it was still dark, use a tool to break the front glass/door, enter the business with backpacks, and start taking property and money. The culprits were also known to re-adjust outside surveillance cameras in an effort to conceal their criminal acts.

On March 27 subjects attempted to break into Wild Indian Gun Co. but were unable to make entry. On April 7 subjects successfully broke into the Fast Way on Highway 13 North and left with a large amount of cash and cigarettes. On April 8 subjects broke into the Saulston Food Mart on Wayne Memorial Drive removing cigarettes and cash. On April 13 a thief broke into Down East Furniture Company on Highway 70 East and removed a large amount of cash. Investigators say Lashley was developed as a suspect.

Lashley’s Pikeville residence was the focus of surveillance Wednesday. Deputies were conducting the surveillance due to warrants against Lashley taken out by the Farmville Police Department for the same type of crime. Multiple subjects were seen getting into a vehicle and leaving the residence. Around 3:00 p.m. Lashley was apprehended during a traffic stop.

Investigators say more arrests are pending.

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A criminal record is developing for a Goldsboro man now facing a felony drug offense after his arrest by local authorities.

Faronta Ramon Thompson, 38, of Alpha Court, is charged with one count of felony Possession of Cocaine.

He was arrested and taken to the Wayne County Jail where bond was set at $1,500.

Officers were investigating a complaint alleging illegal drug problems. The suspect was later arrested during a traffic stop. Authorities say the offender tried to conceal the cocaine in his hand as law enforcement officials were talking with him.

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Police now have in custody the suspect identified in a fatal shooting that claimed the life of a Goldsboro teenager Sunday.

Jacques Torraine Atkinson, 18, was arrested Monday morning shortly after midnight. Authorities say Atkinson turned himself in at the Wayne County Magistrate’s Office. Atkinson is charged with Murder and is being held in the Wayne County Jail without bond.

Law enforcement officers found 19-year-old Michael Jerome Wimbush shot multiple times when they arrived in the 900 block of Carver Drive Sunday afternoon. Medical personnel with Wayne County EMS confirmed he was dead. Atkinson was later developed as a suspect.

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