-Press Release, Office of District Attorney Mike Waters
The session of Franklin County Criminal Superior Trial Court which began on July 9, 2018, concluded this week. Superior Court Judge David Lambeth presided over the four-week-long session. The State of North Carolina was represented by District Attorney Mike Waters and Assistant District Attorney Allison Capps.
The session was devoted to the First Degree Murder trial of Garry A. Yarborough, who was charged with First Degree Murder, Possession of Firearm by Felon, First Degree Kidnapping, Breaking and/or Entering, Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury, Assault With a Deadly Weapon Intent to Kill, Discharging Weapon into an Occupied Dwelling/Moving Vehicle, and Attempted First Degree Murder. Mr. Yarborough shot the victim, Tracy Williams, in the Food Lion parking lot in Franklinton, on July 26, 2015. After shooting and killing Ms. Williams, Mr. Yarborough fled to a nearby residence where he forced his way in, assaulted the resident, Kim Elmore, and demanded medical treatment. Mr. Yarborough tried to force Ms. Elmore to leave her residence with him. Fortunately, Ms. Elmore was able to lock Mr. Yarborough outside her residence, at which point Mr. Yarborough shot into her home before fleeing.
A Franklin County jury deliberated approximately three hours before returning guilty verdicts on all counts. Judge Lambeth sentenced Mr. Yarborough to life in prison without parole for the First Degree Murder conviction, plus 40 years for the other offenses.
This matter was investigated by the Franklinton Police Department and the Franklin County Sheriffs Office.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0098_office-of-DA-mike-waters.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-08-03 16:59:512018-08-03 16:09:47Yarborough Sentenced to Life Without Parole for First Degree Murder
United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that “Operation Nor’easter,” a heroin and opioid centered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation headed up by the Federal Bureau of Investigation resulted in the indictment of twelve (12) defendants for outstanding federal charges in a coordinated warrant enforcement operation. In addition, several defendants related to this operation were found to be in the custody of the State of North Carolina. Federal detainers have been filed against those subjects.
This operation was conducted as part of the Eastern District’s Take Back North Carolina Initiative designed to focus federal resources on the alarming level of opioid use and the deaths associated with it. This initiative is bringing the full weight of the federal court system in the fight against crime in Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrell, and Gates Counties in partnership with District Attorneys’ Offices and federal, state, and local law enforcement.
The following individuals were charged by way of Criminal Indictment. The individual charges for each defendant are contained in the parenthesis following the personal information.
• Rasheen Jerome Arnold 24, of Edenton, NC (Felon in Possession of Firearm; Possession of Stolen Firearm)
• Alvin Johnson, 41, Pasquotank County, NC, (Possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base) (crack)
• Samuel Rawlins, 39, Elizabeth City, NC, (Possession of Firearm by Felon)
• Devon Lee, 36, Perquimans County, NC, (Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine)
• Willie Person, 54, Grandy, NC, (Possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base) (crack)
• Glenn Mitchell, 49, Edenton, NC, (Possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and heroin)
• Clarence Chestnutt, 40, Hertford, NC, (Possession with the intent to distribute cocaine)
• John James Taylor, 37, Elizabeth City, NC, (Possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine and heroin; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm by felon)
• Nathan Lamonte Silver, 44, Elizabeth City, NC, (Hobbs Act robbery)
• Mykel Levant Davis, 37, Elizabeth City, NC, (Possession of firearm by felon)
• Marvin Johnson, 41, Elizabeth City, NC, (Possession with the intent to distribute heroin)
• Ross Domina Spruill, 33, Dare County, NC, (Possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base) (crack)
The charges and allegations contained in the Indictments are merely accusations. The defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The cases are being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation along the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives, (ATF), the United States Marshal Service, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations, Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office, Chowan County Sheriff’s Office, Elizabeth City Police Department, Edenton Police Department, Perquimans County Sheriff’s Office, Camden County Sheriff’s Office, Currituck County Sheriff’s Office, Dare County Sheriff’s Office, Tyrell County Sheriff’s Office, Gates County Sheriff’s Office, Manteo Police Department, North Carolina First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the United States Probation Office.
News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s web page at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce. Follow us on twitter: @USAO_EDNC
-Press Release, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Terry M. Wright – Chief of Staff
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit arrested Franklin County resident, Gregory Bruce McKnight on August 1, 2018, for a variety of drug-related offenses.
This investigation into illegal narcotics trafficking began as a result of citizen complaints and concluded with a total of 19 felony drug charges against Mr. Mcknight. Greg McKnight was charged with: Four (4) counts of Trafficking Heroin, Three (3) counts of Sell and Deliver Heroin, Three (3) Counts of Possess with the Intent to Sell and Deliver Heroin, Three (3) Counts of Sell Cocaine, Three (3) counts of Possess with the intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine, One (1) count of Deliver Cocaine, One (1) Count of Sell Marijuana and One (1) Count of Possess with the intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit arrested Franklin County resident, Gregory Bruce McKnight on August 1, 2018. McKnight was charged with a total of 19 felony drug charges.
Sheriff Kent Winstead stated, “Our continued efforts to address illegal drug sales and the crimes associated with drug activity, continues to be a priority within the Sheriff’s Office. Our Narcotics Unit continues to diligently pursue those individuals who choose to poison our community with these illegal narcotics. Thank you to the citizens who continue to report these individuals that plaque our neighborhoods with their illegal drug activity.”
Gregory B. McKnight is currently being held in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $500,000 secured bond.
Gregory B. McKnight – 107 Middle Street Louisburg, NC 27549 DOB: 10/12/1987
For more information regarding this investigation, or to provide information regarding drug activity in your community, please contact Sgt. Ken Pike at (919) 340-3432.
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 were 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.
News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s webpage at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_EDNC
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/U.S.-Department-of-Justice.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-08-01 16:57:192018-08-01 16:11:30Federal Court Awards Nearly $3 Million in Damages for N.C. Medicaid Fraud
-Information courtesy Sandra Wilkerson, Director of Admin and Events, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce
Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start, Inc. will hold its 9th annual Ducky Derby fundraiser in downtown Henderson on Saturday, September 15 at 2 p.m.
Garnett Street will be filled with a river of rubber ducks and a fun time for everyone. Tickets will be sold to purchase ducks and the chance to win the Grand Prize – $1,000; 2nd Prize – $500; 3rd Prize – $250. Even the last duck wins a $100 prize!
There will also be a drawing at the end of the race for Chick-fil-A for a year (must be present to win this prize).
FGV Smart Start needs sponsors to assist with the cost of our event. Sponsorship levels are: Super Duck – $500; Top Duck – $250; Feathered Friend – $100; Quacker Backer – $50.
All sponsors for this year’s event will be recognized on Ducky Derby posters throughout the three-county area, radio advertisements, newspaper articles, the FGV Smart Start website and Facebook page and the Smart Ducky Derby website. We hope that you will consider being a sponsor for our newest event. Together, we are “Building Brighter Futures for Children.”
For information about being a sponsor, please call Garry Daeke at 252-433-9110, extension 227.
WHERE: Pasquotank County Public Safety Building, 200 East Colonial Avenue, Elizabeth City, NC 27909
The United States Attorney’s Office announces a press conference to discuss the indictment of 12 defendants on narcotic distribution and gun charges in a coordinated warrant enforcement operation. This operation is part of the Take Back North Carolina Initiative that is targeting violent crime and drug distribution throughout the Eastern District of North Carolina.
United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr., 1st Judicial District Attorney Andrew Womble and law enforcement partners from federal, state, and local agencies will be present at this event.
Credentialed members of the media are invited to attend.
For additional information please e-mail Don Connelly at usance.PublicInfoOfficer@usdoj.gov. Please RSVP your intentions to attend the event.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0121_United-States-Attorneys-WIZS.jpg.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-07-31 16:56:532018-07-31 16:44:06U.S. Attorney’s Office to Hold Press Conference on ‘Operation Nor’easter’ Indictment
-Press Release, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Terry M. Wright – Chief of Staff
On July 27, 2018, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Team concluded Operation “Tip Line” with the arrests of 10 individuals on 62 felony drug-related charges. This operation and arrests were the direct result of information provided by the citizens of Franklin County. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Branch of the SBI (ALE), Louisburg Police Department and Henderson Police Department assisted the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit during this operation.
Operation “Tip Line” began as a result of numerous complaints received by the Sheriff’s Office on individuals who were allegedly involved in the sale of controlled substances throughout the county. Over the past few months, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit substantiated the information and made purchases of controlled substances from these individuals. During Operation “Tip Line” Heroin, Crack Cocaine, Powder Cocaine, Marijuana and Prescription Pills were purchased and seized.
Sheriff Kent Winstead stated, “Operation Tip Line” is a great example of how information is received from the public, analyzed and then used in intelligence-driven investigations. These arrests complement our drug enforcement strategy of addressing both short-term and long-term investigations that meet the needs of particular communities within our county. Citizen-provided information continues to be instrumental to our overall drug enforcement strategy in Franklin County.”
The following individuals were arrested during Operation Tip Line:
Charged with the following: Sell Cocaine (3 counts), Possess with the Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine (3 counts), Maintain a Dwelling for the purpose of Selling Cocaine (3 counts).
Placed in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond.
Charged with the following: Sell Cocaine (2 counts), Possess with the Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine (2 counts), Maintain a Dwelling for the purpose of Selling Cocaine (2 counts).
Currently being held in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond.
Charged with the following: Sell Cocaine (3 counts), Possess with the Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine (3 counts), Maintain a Dwelling for the purpose of Selling Cocaine (3 counts), Possession of Cocaine.
Currently being held in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond.
David Sidney Smith 130 Smooth Rider Road Louisburg, NC 27549 DOB: 09/01/1994
Charged with the following: Sell Heroin (1 count), Possess with the intent to Sell and Deliver Heroin (1 count), Maintain a Vehicle for the purpose of Selling Heroin (1 count).
Currently being held in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond.
Charged with the following: Sell Marijuana (3 counts), Possess with the intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana (3 counts), Maintain a Dwelling for the purpose of Selling Marijuana (3 counts).
Placed in the Franklin County Detention Center under $35,000 secured bond.
Thomas Joseph Wilkins 142 Bridle Trail Youngsville, NC 27596 DOB: 07/14/1996
Charged with the following: Sell Marijuana (2 counts), Possess with the Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana (2 counts), Maintain a Dwelling for the purpose of Selling Marijuana (1 count).
Currently being held in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $40,000 secured bond.
Shawn Andre Alston 195 Baileys Creek Kittrell, NC 27544 DOB: 02/02/1973
Charged with the following: Sell Cocaine (3 counts), Possess with the Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine (3 counts), Maintain a Dwelling for the purpose of Selling Cocaine (3 counts), Possess Heroin (1 count), Possess Cocaine (1 count), Resist, Delay and Obstruct, Simple Possession of Marijuana.
Currently being held in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $155,000 secured bond.
Julia Jones Tharrington 137 Rice Drive Wake Forest, NC 27587 DOB: 05/14/1960
Charged with the following: Sell and Deliver Heroin (1 count), Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Heroin (1 count), Maintain a Dwelling for the purpose of Selling Heroin (1 count).
Currently being held in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond.
Charged with the following: Trafficking, Opium or Heroin (3 counts), Maintain a Dwelling for the purpose of Selling Controlled Substance (1 count).
Placed in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $20,000 secured bond.
Donathan Domica Perry 161 Happy Valley Trail Franklinton, NC 27525 DOB: 10/27/1976
Charged with the following: Trafficking, Opium or Heroin (4 counts), Maintain a Vehicle for the purpose of Selling Controlled Substance (1 count).
Placed in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $100,000 secured bond.
For more information regarding this operation or to provide information to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit, please contact Sgt. Ken Pike at 919-496-2186.
Antonio Devonlee Diggs, 58 Cureton Dr., Youngsville, NC, has been arrested by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for warrants obtained by the Wake Forest Police Department in connection with the armed robbery that occurred early Wednesday evening at Triangle Dry Cleaners.
Diggs, 18, was arrested without incident at the Franklin County Courthouse and charged with Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon.
At approximately 6:20 p.m. on Wednesday, officers responded to a robbery call at the Triangle Dry Cleaners, 3325 Rogers Road, Suite 118. An employee reported that a black male displaying a knife forced her to hand over an undisclosed amount of money. The employee, who was not harmed, called 9-1-1 after the suspect fled on foot.
Anyone who believes they may have information concerning this is encouraged to call the Police Department Tip Line at 919-435-9610. All calls are confidential.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0124_Untitled-1.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-07-26 16:56:032018-07-26 16:09:48Franklin Co. Resident Arrested for Armed Robbery of Triangle Dry Cleaners
-Information courtesy Franklin Co. Sheriff Kent Winstead’s Facebook page
The Mona Pants Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit dog rescue group, is donating bullet-proof vests to four K9 Officers – two from the Henderson Police Department and two from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department.
The lucky recipients of the “vestification” project, started by the Mona Pants Foundation in 2016, include Franklin Co. K9 Officer Ace (Corporal A. Barrett), Franklin Co. K9 Officer Oli (Corporal K. Gunter), Henderson K9 Officer Deli (Sergeant J. Thomas) and Henderson K9 Officer Nero (Officer Machelick).
These bullet-proof and stab-proof vests are in the process of being made and should be ready for the K9 Officers in a few weeks.
For more information, including pictures of the officers, please click here.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsresize_0000s_0080_vancepolice.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-07-25 17:00:392018-07-25 16:03:51Four Local K9 Officers to Receive Bullet-Proof Vests
Thousands of people have responded to the emergency call for blood and platelet donations issued by the American Red Cross in early July. Still, there continues to be an emergency need for donors of all blood types, especially type O, to give now to address a severe blood shortage.
Red Cross blood donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in, and right now there is less than a five-day blood supply on hand. The Red Cross strives to keep a five-day supply of blood to meet the needs of patients and to be prepared for emergencies that require significant volumes of donated blood products.
“Patients don’t get a summer break from the need for lifesaving treatments, so it is critical that hospitals have access to blood products each and every day,” said Maya Franklin of the Carolinas Blood Services Region. “We sincerely appreciate those who have responded to the call to help save lives, but the emergency need remains. Those who haven’t rolled up a sleeve to give are urged to do so today.”
There is a particular need for type O blood, which plays an important role in ongoing patient care and emergencies. Type O positive is the most transfused blood type and can be given to patients with any Rh-positive blood type. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be given to any patient. It’s what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine the blood type of patients in the most serious situations.
In thanks, all those who come to donate blood or platelets July 30 through Aug. 30, 2018, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0032_American-Red-Cross.jpg.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-07-25 16:59:102018-07-25 16:05:22Red Cross Blood Shortage Continues; Critical Need for Type O Donors
Kamia Oshea Jones 6625 Dealous Drive Zebulon, NC 27597 DOB: 7/14/1997
Travis Wesley Jones 55 Scarboro Drive Bunn, NC 27508 DOB: 12/8/1979
Jerrick Lemont Ellis. 86 Buddys Way Zebulon, NC 27597 DOB: 07/18/1979
David Sidney Smith 130 Smooth Rider Road Louisburg, NC 27549 DOB: 09/01/1994
Anthony Callie Proctor 140 Cattle Drive Zebulon, NC 27597 DOB: 01/13/1979
Thomas Joseph Wilkins 142 Bridle Trail Youngsville, NC 27596 DOB: 07/14/1996
Shawn Andre Alston 195 Baileys Creek Kittrell, NC 27544 DOB: 02/02/1973
Julia Jones Tharrington 137 Rice Drive Wake Forest, NC 27587 DOB: 05/14/1960
Timothy Mark Shearin 394 Moulton Road Louisburg, NC 27549 DOB: 05/26/1970
Donathan Domica Perry 161 Happy Valley Trail Franklinton, NC 27525 DOB: 10/27/1976
