A 24 year-old man is charged with taking indecent liberties with a 14 year-old girl in Johnston County.
On August 18th, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office said they received a report from the victim’s parents reporting the alleged assault. On Tuesday, Estevan Roberto Silva of the 1000 block of Ridge Road, Angier was arrested.
Silva is charged with sexual offense with a child and taking indecent liberties with a minor. He was jailed under a $200,000 bond.
Funeral services were held today (Wednesday) for retired Benson Police Chief C. Lindell Nordan. Nordan, of West Hill Street, died Sunday at Harnett Woods Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Erwin just three days after his 85th birthday.
A large number of people attended services this morning at the Benson Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church in Benson. Rev. Glenn McCullen officiated the services. Entombment was held at the Roselawn Cemetery in Benson.
Nordan was a longtime public servant. He served as the Chief of the Benson Police Department for more than 20 years until retiring in June 1989.
He also served as the Town of Benson Mayor from 1989 until 1991 and was on the Benson Board of Town Commissioners from 2001 until 2005.
He was also a member of Benson Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church.
Nordan is survived by his wife, Carolyn, children and spouses, Sandy and Sonny Tharp of Four Oaks, Wanda and Jack Smith of Benson, and Teressa and Harold Barefoot of Meadow; 9 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and special dog, Sammie.
Memorials may be made to the Benson Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 442, Benson, NC 27504.
Chief Nordan was born September 22, 1931 in Johnston County to the late Frank and Florence Stevens Nordan. He was also preceded in death by sisters, Naomi Benson, Beulah Elliott, and Millie West; and brother, Leon Nordan.
Two people were shot, one fatally injured, Tuesday night in Harnett County. Deputies responded to a shots fired call on McKay Drive just before midnight.
A deputy and state trooper arrived on the scene and found the two gunshot victims and a group of women attempting to detain the alleged shooter. The suspect fled on foot when officers arrived but was captured a short time later at the scene.
One of the victims, Lawrence Wallace, 22, of Spring Lake died at the scene. The name of the second shooting victim has not been released. The victim was taken to Cape Fear Valley Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Terrell White, 30, of Siler City is charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. He was confined in the Harnett County Detention Center Wednesday morning without bond.
Authorities said both victims were sitting in the same car when they were shot. A motive for the shooting has not been released.
A John Deere 7410 tractor, similar to the one in this photo, was stolen from a field on Lakewood Road near Four Oaks this week. The tractor and an attached plow were valued at $85,000. Contributed photo
Deputies are searching for a large farm tractor stolen from a field near Four Oaks. The theft was reported Wednesday.
Keith Smith of Four Oaks reported a John Deere 7410 tractor and potato plow were stolen from a field on Lakewood Road, off Highway 210, Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning. The tractor was parked about 100 yards off the roadway.
The tractor was valued at $75,000 and the Ford plow was valued at $10,000.
Anyone who has any information about the stolen tractor is asked to contact the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office at 919-989-5000.
The Harnett County Veterans Treatment Court located at the Harnett County Courthouse in Lillington has been notified they will receive a grant from the from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services) and BJA (Bureau of Justice Assistance- US Department of Justice).
The grant will equal $1.37 million in funding over the next three years, beginning October 2016.
The goal of the grant is to enhance the Veterans Treatment Court to assist nonviolent offenders with successful rehabilitation from mental health issues and the use of drugs and/or alcohol. The population to be served is veterans from the judicial district and adjoining counties who seek mental health and substance use treatment as a result of their association and involvement while serving our country in harm’s way.
The funds will allow participants in the Veterans Treatment Court to receive much needed mental health and substance use treatment from community providers.
Chief District Court Judge Jacquelyn L. Lee, who presides over the Veterans Treatment Court was notified of the award from the federal agencies.
“This will open up many resources for the Veterans Treatment Court to treat veterans. Previously, we were handicapped because of lack of resources,” Judge Lee said. “Now we can give the veterans the resources they need to have success”.
Harnett County District Attorney Vernon Stewart said, “Every member of our Veterans Treatment Court Team has worked exceptionally hard over the last three years to serve the veterans and interest of justice. Receipt of this grant is a product of this hard work and commitment to success. These funds will allow our court to grow and reach its maximum potential.”
Harnett County Clerk of Court Marsha Johnson stated “The unity, persistence and dedication of the treatment court team has proven on a state and national level that the Harnett County Veterans Treatment Court is providing quality treatment and services to veterans in need who find themselves in the court system.”
It has been nearly a year since a 15 year-old was shot and killed. No arrests have been made.
In hopes of generating new leads in the case, Governor Pat McCrory has announced a $5,000 reward will be offered by the State of North Carolina for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the November 23, 2015 murder of Deyelle Morrisey.
The teen was found dead in a back bedroom of a home on Rollingwood Drive near Dudley. Authorities said his death may have been gang related. Officials also said he may not have been the intended target.
In addition to the $5,000 reward, the Wayne County Sheriff’s office is offering a $3,000 reward and Morrisey’s father is offering an additional $5,000 reward.
A white Chevy Impala was observed near the scene. Two men were observed exiting the car and going behind the residence. A short time later, gunshots were heard and the two men were spotted running back to the car.
Anyone who has any information about the death of 15 year-old Deyelle Morrisey is asked to contact Wayne County Crimestoppers at 919-735-2255 or the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office at 919-731-1481.
An arrest has been made in a deadly hit and run accident that claimed the life of an Arizona man.
Windom Levi Elliott, 39, of Show Low, Arizona was walking on a service road beside US 70 and near America’s Best Value Inn around 11:22 pm Saturday when he was struck and killed. Based on evidence gathered by Goldsboro Police, officers said a blue 2004-2008 Ford F-150 pickup truck struck Elliott from behind. The vehicle fled from the scene.
On Wednesday, Larry Donnell Miller, 41, of Dillard Street, Goldsboro was arrested. He was charged with felony hit and run, misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, failure to give aid to an injured person, failure to maintain lane control and a stop sign violation. He was given a $35,000 bond.
Police said Miller was operating his dark blue 2005 Ford F-150 pickup when the right front side of the truck struck Elliott. Police thanked the public for phoning in tips during the investigation.
A Smithfield man got more than a speeding ticket when he was pulled over Wednesday afternoon. A Johnston County Sheriff’s Office SAFE Team deputy stopped a car for speeding on Barber Mill Road near Howard’s Mini Mart.
While writing the driver a speeding citation, the deputy said he noticed the driver acting very nervous. The driver, identified as 32 year-old William Thomas Woodhouse Jr., of the 1200 block of Smith Road, reportedly gave consent to be searched.
The deputy said he located a metal vile with two small baggies inside containing a total of 1 gram of suspected powder cocaine.
Woodhouse was charged with felony possession of cocaine and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. He was confined in the Johnston County Jail under a $10,000 bond.
This week, with the support of Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC), the House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016 which addresses the needs of America’s harbors, locks, dams, provides for flood protection and other water resources infrastructure by authorizing specific U.S. Army Corps of Engineers activities. WRDA 2016 is a fully offset bill that enables Congress to have much stronger and more consistent oversight of infrastructure policy and implementation.
“For far too long, our infrastructure needs have been neglected,” Rouzer said. “Our ports, beaches and waterways are the lifeline of economic activity and job growth in our coastal communities. As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am very pleased that this bill includes provisions to address the unique needs we have on the coast. The passage of WRDA is critical to Southeastern North Carolina and our nation, and I look forward to the President signing this very important infrastructure bill into law.”
The Water Resources Development Act authorizes much-needed investment into our infrastructure systems, supports the maritime and waterway transportation systems and provides for flood protection for homes and businesses. Specifically, the bill requires the Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize the needs of area beaches, includes a three year extension of coastal storm damage reduction funding for Carolina Beach, and requires a no wake zone on the Intracoastal Waterway at the Southport Marina.
The Senate has already passed its version of this bill so the next step will be to go to a Conference Committee where differences between the two chambers will be worked out. Once a report is issued by the Conference Committee and approved in both the House and Senate, the bill will go to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
Rouzer, a Johnston County native, represents the Seventh Congressional District in southeastern NC, and includes a portion of Johnston County.
(Left to right): Suefan Johnson, Melissa Palmer, Helen Patterson, Amber Straley, Chad Stewart, and Benton Sawrey
Partnership for Children of Johnston County (PFCJC) has elected six new members to the Board of Directors.
New board members include Suefan Johnson, First Grade teacher at South Smithfield Elementary School; Melissa Palmer, Audiologist with High Point Audiological; Helen Patterson, Director at Johnston Health Early Learning Center: Amber Straley, Retail Lender with Four Oaks Bank & Trust: Chad Stewart, Johnston County Board of Commissioners; and Benton Sawrey, Attorney with Narron, O’Hale and Whittington P.A.
“I am excited that Benton, Chad, Amber, Melissa, Helen and Suefan are joining the Partnership Board,” said Dwight Morris, Executive Director of the Partnership for Children of Johnston County. “Each one brings a wealth of experience and expertise as well as a great passion for our young children and their families. I look forward to the coming year as they join a great Board in developing our next strategic plan and work.”
The Partnership’s Board of Directors is comprised of individuals from business and education communities, and human services organizations in Johnston County. It is the Board’s responsibility to provide counsel and guidance in the direction and operation of the Partnership as well as raise awareness of the Partnership’s services to the communities of Johnston County.
Lara Trump (far left) and Eric Trump (second from right) pose with Leslie Byrd and Matthew Dupree of Angier for a photo on Main Street in Benson Thursday morning.
A number of people were surprised to see Donald Trump’s son, Eric and his wife Lara, in Johnston County today (Thursday).
Eric and Lara Trump are making several stops in North Carolina Wednesday and Thursday as part of efforts to elect Donald Trump as President.
The couple took a stroll down Main Street in Benson around 11:30am Wednesday. Accompanied by members of the US Secret Service, the couple toured a few local shops and took photos with business owners and residents.
Afterwards the couple traveled to Fuquay Varina.
A Flash Flood Watch is in effect until 10:00 pm tonight for much of Central and Southeastern North Carolina.
Very heavy rain has fallen over the area since yesterday. Some locations have picked up as much as 6 to 10 inches of rainfall. Additional heavy rain is possible through the evening hours, which could lead to new flooding or exacerbate ongoing flooding.
In this area, Johnston, Wilson, Harnett, Wayne, Sampson, Edgecombe, Moore, Lee, Richmond, Scotland, Hoke and Cumberland counties are under a Flash Flood Watch until 10:00 pm.
Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 4 inches are possible in the warned area through tonight. These rainfall amounts will worsen existing flooding from last night’s rains. Rivers may overflow their banks. Creeks and streams and drainage basins will fill up and may overflow. Roadways and low-lying areas could also easily flood.
In addition to the rainfall, isolated severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts to 60 mph and quarter-size hail will be possible as a cold front tracks slowly east of the Appalachians.
A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. Monitor the latest forecast and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Johnston Health staff and administrators, patients and family members joined Dr. Mumtaz Ali at his clinic on Sept. 14 for a celebration of his 36 years of practice in pulmonology.
Selma Mayor Cheryl Oliver was among the grateful who spoke of his kindness and compassion for patients. Before opening a full-time practice in Smithfield in 1984, Dr. Ali taught in medical school and treated patients in Saudi Arabia and India.
In recent years, Drs. Omar and Mustafa Ali followed in their father’s footsteps and chose pulmonology as their medical specialties. In the photo from left, are Drs. Omar, Mumtaz and Mustafa Ali. At far left and right, are Hasan and Haidar Ali, sons of Omar and Fatima Ali. At center, are Muhammad and Maryam, son and daughter of Mustafa and Nooria Ali.
Following a year long investigation into a violent drug trafficking organization, five people were arrested Thursday as multiple search warrants and over 20 federal and state arrest warrants were executed in Sampson County.
During the investigation over 11 pounds of cocaine and several firearms were seized.
The five suspects arrested Thursday were identified as: Antonio McKoy, 30 of Garland, James Daniel McKoy, 51, of Garland, Bryant Carr, 37, of Roseboro, Andrekia Parker, 23, of Garland, and Anthony Barnes, 30, of Turkey, NC.
“Over 100 federal, state and local officers were involved in the culmination of this task forces’ work,” Sheriff Jimmy Thornton said. “Although only five suspects were charged federally, there will be additional arrests both at the state and federal level. Today we focused on locating the major players, however we will continue to make additional arrests in the coming days.”
“I would like to thank all the agencies involved for their assistance. I am especially proud of my investigators and deputies for their diligence and determination throughout this investigation. To those who wish to engage in illegal activity involving drugs and violence – beware! The Sheriff’s Office will use any resource within our means to come after you,” Sheriff Thornton said in a press release.
The case is a Federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) criminal matter being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Jacksonville Police Department, Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Probation Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the North Carolina Department of Revenue. (A mugshot for Bryant Carr was not available by press time)
While a woman was in the hospital giving birth to her child, someone was stealing her engagement ring. The incident happened earlier this year and this week an arrest was made in the case.
The victim, who lives in Four Oaks, said she was in the hospital over a three-day period in July while giving birth to a baby. The mother said she left her engagement ring at home in her jewelry box. After she returned home and went to check on the ring discovered it was missing.
On Thursday, Johnston County deputies arrested the victim’s sister-in-law, 39 year-old Lara Davis of Ivey Road, Four Oaks. Davis is charged with larceny and obtaining property by false pretenses. Investigators said Davis stole the $3,953.27 ring and sold it to a thrift store in Four Oaks.
Davis was given a $5,000 bond on the two charges.
A Selma man arrested while hiding in a creek Thursday afternoon has been linked to seven break-ins in northern Johnston County.
Deputies were called to check on a suspicious burgundy SUV parked behind a convenience store at Stancil’s Chapel, on Highway 222 at Highway 42, outside of Kenly yesterday. When an officer arrived the vehicle had left but the deputy located the SUV stuck in some mud on Glendale Road.
When the deputy approached the SUV, the driver refused to open the door. The man eventually pulled forward, began driving in circles, before he jumped and ran on foot into a wooded area. Additional officers responded to the scene and a sheriff’s K-9 tracked the suspect to a creek where Timothy Michael Sauls, 30, of Condary Road, Selma was located.
Sauls faces 20 charges including seven counts of felony breaking and entering. Officers said the license plate on the SUV had been reported stolen from a car dealership in Wilson.
Detectives seized the SUV and were planning to execute a search warrant on the vehicle Friday searching for stolen property missing from the break-ins.
Sauls was jailed under a $627,500 bond. A passenger in the vehicle, Christy Lee Berry, 27, of Williams Road, Pikeville was charged with felony probation violation and giving fictitious information to a law enforcement officer. She was confined in the Johnston County Jail under a $52,000 bond.
More charges have been filed against a man who allegedly assaulted an off-duty officer last month.
Billy Chris Massengill, of Go Cart Road, Four Oaks was arrested August 31st after his release from the hospital. Massengill was injured while being detained outside Barefoot’s Country Store on US 701 South of Four Oaks on August 27th by an off-duty Johnston County deputy.
The deputy was inside the store when he allegedly witnessed Massengill use his cell phone camera to take an inappropriate photo of the buttocks of a female juvenile inside the business. The officer identified himself, asked Massengill to step outside, but allegedly began striking the deputy at which time a concerned citizen stepped in and helped detain the 37 year-old man.
On Friday, Massengill was charged with two counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. WTSB News has learned the charges follow the discovery of sexually explicit photos of a female juvenile relative found on his cell phone.
Massengill had previously been charged with felony assault causing physical injury on a law enforcement officer and felony secret peeping.
He was confined Friday in the Johnston County Jail under a $150,000 bond.
Officials said they are still processing additional photos found on the suspect’s cell phone and additional charges have not been ruled out.
A young mother recently became suspicious after noticing bruises on her six month old baby. Concerned that someone may be harming her child, the woman set up a hidden video camera in her baby’s room without telling anyone. What she saw on the video camera this week shocked the young woman and has led to criminal charges.
The video camera reportedly shows the father of the 6 month-old changing the baby’s diaper. Afterwards the video shows the man using the bend of his arm to pick up the child by his neck, choking the child, according to Captain Jeff Caldwell with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office.
Caldwell said the video shows the baby squeezing his eyes shut and attempting to cry while being choked. The video also shows the baby is in obvious distress and pain.
The mother turned the video over to sheriff’s deputies this week and officers quickly arrested her husband, 34 year-old Jared William Rhynehart of Madison Avenue, Princeton.
Caldwell said the woman had previously questioned her husband about the bruises and he allegedly claimed the child was injuring himself on the crib bumpers.
Despite the seriousness of the incident, Rhynehart is only facing a misdemeanor charge of child abuse, and not a felony. He was booked into the Johnston County Jail Thursday night under a $10,000 bond.
About one-third of the students who attend North Johnston High were not in class today (Friday) following rumors of an act of violence at North Johnston High School. Some parents say they kept their children home from school today because of the rumors and a lack of information from school officials.
WTSB News has learned a student posted a lyric to a rap song on their social media account on Thursday. The lyric contained a phrase indicating it was time to load a gun. Some took the posting to mean an act of violence would occur at North Johnston where the teenager attended.
As misinformation spread on social media, officials said rumors included a report of a bomb threat.
The student was suspended by Johnston County School officials, however no criminal charges have been filed at this time.
Tracey Peedin Jones, Public Information Officer, with Johnston County Schools said they are working closely with law enforcement and cooperating fully. “We appreciate their prompt action and making the safety of our students and school their top priority.
“In an abundance of caution and to help reassure students and parents, we did request for there to be extra law enforcement on and around campus,” Jones added.
The principal at North Johnston sent out a message Thursday night to reassure parents that officials were aware of the situation, but some parents said no details about the threat were released to them and what they learned was through social media.
No incidents were reported on the school campus on Friday. Officials said 298 of the 820 students enrolled were not in class.
Novo Nordisk, which broke ground in March on a new $1.8 billion diabetes medicine production facility in Clayton, said this week the project will not be impacted following the layoffs of 1,000 workers.
Most of the job cuts will be made in Denmark, where the company is based. Research and development, headquarters staff and global commercial divisions will be affected. Officials blamed a challenging marketplace, especially in the United States, as the reason the jobs were being eliminated. Also the company has implemented a hiring freeze.
According to a press release and published reported, Novo Nordisk spokesperson Ken Ichausti said the job cuts and layoffs would not impact the expansion project underway in Clayton, saying the company remains committed to the new facility on Powhatan Road.
The company said the impact of the cost cutting moves on the Clayton insulin production facility would be minimal. An increased demand for diabetes medicines is anticipated in the US market.
The company’s CEO recently told Bloomberg news they lost a sizeable contract for a product made in Clayton but the loss of the contract has not affected the operations of the facility.
Novo Nordisk current employees more than 42,000 workers in 75 countries and has markets for its products established in 180 countries.
The new 833,000 square foot facility in Clayton with a footprint of 417,639 square feet – the equivalent to 7 football fields – is expected to be fully operation in 2020. It is expected to create 700 new jobs with an average salary of $68,000 – $22,000 higher than the current average salary, and $15,000 more than the median household income in Johnston County.
The new site is situated adjacent to Novo Nordisk’s existing 457,000 square foot plan, which has expanded several times since it was inaugurated in 1996.
Novo Nordisk’s local plant is one of the company’s strategic production sites responsible for formulation, filling and packaging of diabetes medicines. The plant also assembles and packages the company’s FlexPen and FlexTouch prefilled insulin devices for the U.S. market.
Once the new site becomes operational, the diabetes API production organization in Clayton will be named DAPI-US (Diabetes Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients – US). It will be part of the Danish diabetes API production organization in Kalundborg, which will be named DAPI-Denmark.
Novo Nordisk has its US headquarters in Plainsboro, N.J. The company has more than 5,000 employees in the United States.
