Michael Easley, Jr. Stepping Down From U.S. Attorney Eastern District Office

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U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr., will step down as attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina on Monday, Feb. 3.

Easley was nominated for the post in 2021 by President Joe Biden and, following Senate confirmation, he was sworn in on Nov. 26, 2021.

In a press release issued Wednesday afternoon, Easley said, “It has been the highest honor to serve as the top federal law enforcement official for Eastern North Carolina – a place I was born, raised, and am proud to call home.” The press release did not contain details of Easley’s future plans.

Easley focused on driving down violent crime, white-collar prosecutions, protection of civil rights, and stemming the tide of narcotics into communities across the Eastern District. “We did it through partnering, shoulder to shoulder, with local law enforcement and community leaders to solve our region’s most challenging problems,” he stated, adding that he appreciates prosecutors, judges, law enforcement and staff “who give so much to see justice done every day.”

As the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the 44-county Eastern District that includes Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, Easley has overseen a staff of 119 employees, including 58 attorneys and 61 non-attorney support personnel.  The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, firearms and narcotics.  The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.

Throughout his term, Easley and his office have provided information to WIZS News about local cases, and he has even spoken with us as well. Over the years, he has praised the efforts of local law enforcement agencies and said they follow up and do what they say they are going to do.

In a January 2024 TownTalk program on human trafficking, Easley said Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow and Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame are “reliable partners” and said they both are in his speed dial. He called District Attorney Mike Waters “one of the most forward-leaning prosecutors” he knows. “He’s an incredible partner and somebody I count on to help unravel these cases.”

In an interview Wednesday afternoon with WIZS, Barrow was equally complimentary of Easley, calling him and his office a “great partner” with local law enforcement. “He was easy to talk to…to communicate with. He had our back here (and) has helped us rid Henderson of a lot of violent offenders.”

In an August 2023 interview with WIZS, Barrow said some members of the local police department serve on different federal task forces of the DEA, ATF and the FBI, which provides a path for some cases to be tried in federal court.

“We truly did a big investment into the federal program,” Barrow explained. With input from local district attorneys to decide which cases – usually involving guns and drugs – should go to federal court, Barrow said the trials and sentencing can happen in a “pretty swift” manner.

The main thing, he said, is that “they are removed from our community – they are the worst of the worst.”

Eddie Caldwell, executive vice president and general counsel of the N.C. Sheriff’s Association, said “U.S. Attorney Easley is the kind of partner every sheriff hopes for – sharp, decisive, and committed to results.  He didn’t just talk about law enforcement partnerships; he made them real, partnering with sheriffs for solutions and backing them up with action.  Under his leadership, we made real progress— violent crime down, overdose deaths falling, and tighter collaboration.  Easley set a new gold standard for what it means to lead in federal law enforcement.”

 

TownTalk: Bryan Cohn NC House 32 Representative Talks Issues, Legislating For All

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As the newly elected District 32 representative in the N.C. House, Bryan Cohn said he sees plenty of opportunities to work in a bipartisan fashion to preserve and strengthen the economy, natural resources and more for his constituents in Vance and Granville counties.

Cohn narrowly defeated incumbent Frank Sossamon in the November general election, but with the early January swearing-in in Raleigh and then a ceremonial swearing-in on Sunday, Jan. 19 at McGregor Hall, Cohn said he is ready to get to work.

About 100 supporters attended the second swearing-in on the afternoon of Jan. 19, during which the new state legislator shared his vision.

“It was a message of optimism and a message of hope,” he said on Tuesday’s TownTalk, “and really a message of gratitude to everyone who contributed their time and effort into this campaign.”

He called running for office “a humbling experience” and said he told those supporters on hand two Sunday afternoons ago that he will “represent them … and make sure we continue to listen to what they have to say and advocate appropriately in Raleigh.”

Among several priorities for the freshman legislator are expanded access to health care, taking care of seniors and keeping an eye on the regional water system.

“The ongoing expansion of water and sewer infrastructure upgrades is going to continue to be a top priority in this region,” Cohn explained.

Attending to those issues, among others, will also help foster growth in the district, which leads to economic growth for the region.

Expanding business and industry in the district will increase the need for an educated workforce, so he wants to make sure public education is up to the task.

Cohn said he is making the rounds throughout the district, adding that talking to leaders and others in the community is part of a “discovery phase” to help him get the lay of the land and be better equipped to be supportive of the various needs.

Although he said he was “unapologetically delighted” to be able to break up the Republican super majority in the N.C. House, Cohn said no one party should rule with absolute authority. He said he looks forward to working with Republicans Rep. Matthew Winslow and State Sen. Lisa Barnes, for whom he said he has great respect.

“Leaders should listen and take stock from what they are being told,” Cohn said. “We may not always agree,” but he said he suspects there are likely many things that they can agree on.

In his role as a commissioner for the City of Oxford, Cohn said he realized that municipalities and county officials are limited in what they can and cannot do, based on state laws.

“It makes it really difficult when you’re trying to plan for future growth,” he said or trying to put in place policies that talk about zoning or other issues faced by local governments.

Cohn said he feels some laws created last year around zoning issues need to be looked at to provide cities and counties more clarity, saying they created “a lot of gray area.” The language in those bills needs to be adjusted to better define what is allowed and not allowed.

He said he would like to see bills spend more time in committee to create a more polished product that spells out clearly for landowners, developers and local governments what the bill entails.

You don’t always need a sledgehammer to get results, Cohn said. Sometimes it takes a scalpel.

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Cooperative Extension With Michael Ellington: Container Gardening

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Michael Ellington of the Vance County Cooperative Extension Service discusses how to choose appropriate containers based on their material, drainage, and size.

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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TownTalk: Four (Now Five) Put Names Up For Consideration To Fill District 3 Board Seat

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Update 1-28-25:

Vance County Manager Renee Perry said, “One more was received before the deadline. Charisse Fain.”

Perry confirmed that during the next regular commissioners meeting, this Monday, February 3, 2025 at 6 p.m., that next steps in this appointment process will be discussed.

Please review earlier updates below for further information.

Update 1-24-25:

The Vance County Board of Commissioners has the names of four people who are interested in filling the vacant District 3 seat on the board. Today was the deadline to submit names and the names that WIZS reported Thursday are the names that will be considered, according to information from County Manager C. Renee Perry.

Listed in alphabetical order, the four individuals are:

Joseph Doyle Carpunky
Jeanette B. Floyd
Charles Turrentine, Jr.
William Gordon Wilder

Former Commissioner Sean Alston vacated his seat on the board effective Jan. 1, when he took a job as a magistrate in Warren County. The commissioners have until Mar. 1 – 60 days from the time the seat was vacated – to appoint a replacement.

At a meeting in early January, County Attorney Jonathan Care advised commissioners that a meeting may need to be held in early February to discuss the appointment and those interested in filling Alston’s unexpired term.

The next regular meeting of the commissioners is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 3.

The district 3 seat is up for election in 2026, according to Vance County Elections Director Haley Rawles.

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Original Update 1-23-25:

With the deadline looming, Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry confirmed Thursday that four individuals have submitted their names to be considered to fill the vacant District 3 seat on the Vance County Board of Commissioners. Other interested individuals have until tomorrow – Friday, Jan. 24 – to submit information to the county.

Listed in alphabetical order, the four individuals are:

  • Joseph Doyle Carpunky
  • Jeanette B. Floyd
  • Charles Turrentine, Jr.
  • William Gordon Wilder

Former Commissioner Sean Alston vacated his seat on the board effective Jan. 1, when he took a job as a magistrate in Warren County. The commissioners have until Mar. 1 – 60 days from the time the seat was vacated – to appoint a replacement.

At a meeting in early January, County Attorney Jonathan Care advised commissioners that a meeting may need to be held in early February to discuss the appointment and those interested in filling Alston’s unexpired term.

The next regular meeting of the commissioners is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 3.

The district 3 seat is up for election in 2026, according to Vance County Elections Director Haley Rawles.

TownTalk: 4th Annual VCS Golf Tournament Mar. 27

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The fourth annual golf tournament sponsored by the Vance Charter School Booster Club is coming up on Mar. 27, but there are only two team slots left, so register soon if you want to take part.

VCS Booster Club President Caroline Overby and VCS Athletic Director Lance Stallings are looking forward to the event, which will be held at Henderson Country Club. The first tournament had 12 teams participating, and last year’s event had a then-record 17 teams, Stallings said on Monday’s TownTalk.

This year’s goal is 20 teams and they’ve already got 18 signed up – well on their way to meet the mark. “We’ve been blown away with the support early on,” Stallings said. Registration continues until Mar. 7.

Overby said the tournament will begin at 12 noon with a shotgun start. As the golfers complete their rounds, they’ll be able to head back to the club house before the awards presentation at 6 p.m.

This year marks the first time that the event will include a silent auction and live music from  Whiskey Bent band from Oxford. Overby said she and event organizers are confident that these additions will add to the festivities.

“It’s going to be a great day of golfing,” Overby said, in support of the athletic department and student athletes at Vance Charter.

Stallings said the booster club helps the athletic department by supplementing what the school is able to provide its teams and athletes – from extra team meals to pitching machines for the baseball team. The booster club goes “the extra mile,” he said. “It’s difficult to have a successful athletic department without having a booster club…it’s a great partnership that we have with them and we’re grateful for them.”

Overby praised local businesses and others for their support as well.

Presenting sponsors for this year’s golf tournament are Chick-fil-A, Drake & Seymour Dentistry and Sossamon Funeral Home.

But there are additional opportunities for sponsorships, including Gold level ($1,700) Silver level ($1,250) and Blue level ($700).

To find out more, contact Stallings at 252.431.0440 or Overby at 252.213.7121.

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Deon Linshawn Bullock is Wanted in Connection to Donnie Ayscue’s Homicide

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For Immediate Release – From Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame – Date: January 24, 2025

On Saturday, January 11, 2025, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) received a 911 call at approximately 1:54 a.m. about a gunshot victim at 1300 Walters Street in Henderson, North Carolina. Vance County EMS and VCSO Deputies responded and discovered Donnie Ayscue suffering from a single gunshot wound. Ayscue died as a result of his injuries at his residence.

After an intensive investigation, 19-year-old, Deon Linshawn Bullock was identified as a person of interest.

Deon Linshawn Bullock is wanted in connection to Ayscue’s homicide. Bullock was last seen wearing a grey hoodie with grey joggers on January 24, 2025. See photo below.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Vance County Sheriff’s Office in this active and ongoing homicide investigation.

Contact: Anyone with information on Deon Linshawn Bullock’s whereabouts should contact Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers (252) 492-1925, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office (252) 738-2200, or the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations (1-800-334-3000 or sbiwebcontact@ncsbi.gov).

(Original post made to WIZS.com on Jan. 24, 2025)

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U.S. Attorney For Eastern District Of N.C. Announces Whistleblower Pilot Program

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— information courtesy of U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina

U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. has announced that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina has implemented the EDNC Whistleblower Pilot Program.

“In this office, we are focused on enhancing the identification and prosecution of white-collar crime,” Easley said in a written statement released Friday. “The EDNC Whistleblower Pilot Program achieves that by incentivizing individuals to proactively come forward with information about crimes taking place within corporations.  The benefit to the participant, if qualified, is avoiding prosecution.  We encourage all who may have information on fraud, corruption, or corporate crime, to fill out the short form on our website.”

To encourage early voluntary self-disclosure of criminal conduct and to promote effective enforcement of criminal laws, the office has implemented the EDNC Whistleblower Pilot Program.  The program applies to circumstances where an individual discloses information regarding certain covered subjects identified in the policy to this office, Easley’s statement explained.  Covered subjects include criminal conduct undertaken by or through public or private entities or organizations, including corporations, partnerships, non-profits, exchanges, financial institutions, investment advisers, or investment funds involving fraud or corporate control failures; intellectual property theft and related violations; or offenses affecting market integrity.

The policy also applies to disclosed criminal conduct involving state or local bribery or fraud relating to federal, state or local funds.  The policy does not apply to offenses involving violence.  Provided all policy conditions are met, this office will enter into a deferred or non-prosecution agreement with the whistleblower.

By clarifying the requirements and benefits of such self-disclosure, this office seeks to incentivize individuals (and their counsel) to provide actionable and timely information.  This will, in turn, help us expose more misconduct and better protect the communities we serve.

Find a complete copy of the policy, along with the application at:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/ednc-whistleblower-pilot-program

(Originally posted to WIZS.com Jan. 24, 2025)

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