U.S. Department of Justice

2018 Eastern District Election Officer Appointed

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Robin Pendergraft, Chief of the Criminal Division will lead the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 6, 2018, general elections. AUSA Pendergraft has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of any complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud,” said United Staes Attorney Higdon. “The Department of Justice is dedicated to protecting the integrity of the election process.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on election day.

Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.

The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise may exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt the voting process are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 6, 2018, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Higdon stated that AUSA/DEO Pendergraft will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. She can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 919-856-4530.

In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The Raleigh FBI field office can be reached by the public at 919-380-4500.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, DC by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to voting.section@usdoj.gov or by complaint form at https://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.

United States Attorney Higdon said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate. It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available immediately to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”

News releases are available on the U.S. Attorney’s webpage at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce. Follow us on twitter @USAO_EDNC.

VGCC Honors 10 In Emergency Medical Tech-Paramedic Program

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College honored 10 students who completed the college’s Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic program in August.

The graduates included Kaylee Bradsher of Roxboro, Joseph Carpunky of Henderson, Reginald Collins of Henderson, Paul Currin of Norlina, Lawrence Green of Wake Forest, Kaylelynn Grindstaff of Louisburg, William Holder of Roxboro, Abigail Milton of Henderson, Aaron Porterfield of Wake Forest, and Mario Wright of Henderson.

The class, which began in August 2017, was instructed by Vivian Loyd, a Registered Nurse and Paramedic Level II instructor.

Above: Seated, from left, are Mario Wright, Paul Currin, Kaylelynn Grindstaff, Abigail Milton, and William Holder; standing, from left, instructor Vivian Loyd, Aaron Porterfield, Lawrence Green, Kaylee Bradsher, Reginald Collins, Joseph Carpunky, and EMS Coordinator Stephen Barney. (VGCC photo)

EMT-Paramedic instruction includes 660 hours of didactic (classroom) training and 400 hours of clinical education, or field internship. To be eligible to take the EMT-P course, students had to have already completed a 203-hour EMT-Basic course and passed a state exam.

An EMT-Paramedic has enhanced skills beyond the EMT-Basic level, including being able to administer additional interventions and medications. The EMT-P delivers the highest level of pre-hospital medical care in North Carolina.

Students had to pass several different exams, including a “scope of practice” exam, in order to successfully complete the EMT-P course. The scenario-based evaluation tested the hands-on and critical thinking skills of students as they delivered the appropriate treatment to multiple trauma patients and dealt with pediatric, environmental, and mental illness situations. Each student also had to complete an 80-hour Anatomy and Physiology course.

With the completion of the EMT-P course, the students take the 100-question North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services credentialing exam to become state-certified.

VGCC offers Emergency Medical Services training from the basic to the Paramedic level, in addition to continuing education, with most of the classes being taught in Building 10, the new home for Emergency Medical Services training, located on Main Campus across from the main entrance to the college. For more information on enrolling in these courses, call EMS Coordinator/instructor Stephen Barney at (252) 738-3273.

U.S. Department of Justice

Warrenton Man Indicted for Drug Distribution & Firearm Charges

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-Press Release, U.S. Dept. of Justice 

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that a Federal grand jury in Raleigh has returned a three-count indictment charging ROBERT FULTON BACON, a/k/a “Face,” age 32, of Warrenton, North Carolina, with one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon and two counts of possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine.

If convicted of these charges, BACON would face maximum penalties of 20 years’ imprisonment, and at least 3 years or up to life of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

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

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.

The case is being investigated by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Dodson is prosecuting the case for the government.

News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s webpage at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_EDNC

VGCC Announces Community Fall Festival – Mon. Oct. 29

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College is inviting the community to attend a Fall Festival on Monday, Oct. 29, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Civic Center on the Main Campus.

Admission will be free. Tickets for “Family Fun” activities and games will be 25 cents each, according to Jermiel Hargrove, VGCC’s coordinator of student activities and athletics. Popcorn, cotton candy, pizza, candy and drinks will also be available for purchase. The proceeds from the Fall Festival will benefit VGCC’s Athletic Department.

Activities will include face painting, a costume contest, a bounce house and crafts. Games will feature a bean bag toss, corn hole, witch pitch, a pumpkin walk and fish cup toss.

The college’s Civic Center is located at 200 Community College Road in Henderson.

For more information, contact Jermiel Hargrove at (252) 738-3246.

U.S. Department of Justice

In Aftermath of Michael, Dept. of Justice Warns Public to Be Aware of Fraud

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

The Department of Justice established the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) in the wake of Hurricane Katrina when billions of dollars in federal disaster relief poured into the Gulf Coast region, which opened opportunities for criminals to exploit people during vulnerable times. The NCDF, a national coordinating agency within the Department’s Criminal Division, operates a call center at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and serves as a centralized clearinghouse for disaster fraud complaints and information relating to both natural and man-made disasters. The NCDF seeks to improve and further the detection, prevention, investigation, and prosecution of fraud related to natural and man-made disasters, and to advocate for victims of such fraud. More than 20 federal, state, and local agencies participate in the NCDF, which allows them to forward on complaints to the appropriate agency for investigation.

“Following Hurricane Michael’s landfall and as recovery efforts continue, it is important for people to be on the lookout for fraudsters who seek to profit from natural disasters through identity theft schemes, impersonation of government officials and solicitations for fake charities,” said Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.  “The Department of Justice is committed to detecting this type of fraud, and we will aggressively prosecute the offenders. Through our National Center for Disaster Fraud, and in conjunction with our law enforcement partners, we are working to keep Americans from becoming victims of these schemes.”

Since Hurricane Michael’s landfall, many people are left without food, water, or shelter, and are experiencing devastating damage to life and property. Unfortunately, there are criminals ready to take advantage of victims before, during, and especially after a natural disaster. They are looking to strike those at their most vulnerable time.

While compassion, assistance, and solidarity are generally prevalent in the aftermath of natural disasters, unscrupulous individuals and organizations also use these tragic events to take advantage of those in need. Examples of illegal activity being reported to the NCDF and law enforcement include:

  • Impersonation of federal law enforcement officials;
  • Identity theft;
  • Fraudulent submission of claims to insurance companies and the federal government;
  • Fraudulent activity related to solicitations for donations and charitable giving;
  • Fraudulent activity related to individuals and organizations promising high investment returns from profits from recovery and cleanup efforts;
  • Price gouging;
  • Contractor Fraud;
  • Debris removal fraud;
  • Theft, looting, and other violent crime

Numerous U.S. Attorney Offices in districts impacted by recent hurricanes have established task forces comprised of local, state and federal agencies in their respective areas to combat disaster fraud.

“The NCDF has an excellent staff of investigators, analysts, call center operators, and managers who are well prepared to handle the anticipated volume of complaints after the recent hurricanes and help ensure that each report of fraud reaches the appropriate investigative agency,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon J. Fremin for the Middle District of Louisiana, who is also the NCDF’s Executive Director. “Raising public awareness is a great way for the NCDF to reach thousands of people who may one day be subjected to fraudulent schemes.”

Members of the public are reminded to apply a critical eye and exercise due diligence before trusting anyone purporting to be working on behalf of disaster victims. They should also exercise the same care before giving contributions to anyone soliciting donations on behalf of disaster victims as well as being extremely cautious before providing personal identifying or financial information to anyone, especially those who may contact you after a natural disaster. Solicitations can originate from e-mails, websites, door-to-door collections, mailings and telephone calls, and similar methods.

Members of the public who suspect fraud, waste, abuse, or allegations of mismanagement involving disaster relief operations, or believe they have been the victim of fraud from a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of disaster victims, should contact the National Disaster Fraud Hotline toll-free at (866) 720-5721. The telephone line is staffed by live operators 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also fax information to the Center at (225) 334-4707, or email it to disaster@leo.gov.  Learn more about the NCDF at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud and watch a public service announcement here.  Tips for the public on how to avoid being victimized of fraud are at https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/tips-avoiding-fraudulent-charitable-contribution-schemes.

Warrenton Rotary Club Holding Pancake Dinner Fundraiser at Mariam Boyd Elem.

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-Information courtesy the Town of Warrenton, NC Facebook page

The Warrenton Rotary Club will hold a “Flip to Read” Pancake Dinner fundraiser at the Mariam Boyd Elementary School cafeteria on Thursday, October 25, 2018, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

For $7 a plate, enjoy all you can eat pancakes, sausage, milk, ice tea, butter and syrup. Dine in or take out.

This fundraiser will buy sets of reading books for 3rd-grade classrooms.

With questions, please call (919) 357-4201.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

VGCC Hosting CCP Information Sessions For High School Students, Parents

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College 

High school students and their parents are being given the opportunity to learn more about how eligible students can earn college credits for free while still enrolled in high school. Vance-Granville Community College has scheduled a series of sessions offering information on the “Career & College Promise” (CCP) program.

CCP allows the students to earn college credits towards a college degree, diploma or certificate while still in high school, without having to pay college tuition.

Attendees will learn about the requirements of the program and the steps to apply for admission in CCP. This information will help students prepare to enroll and register for classes in the upcoming Spring Semester starting in January and the Summer Term starting next May at Vance-Granville.

These information sessions will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on these dates: Monday, Oct. 22, at the Main Campus between Henderson and Oxford (Building 8, Conference Room); Tuesday, Oct. 23, at South Campus between Butner and Creedmoor (Room G1131); Thursday, Oct. 25, at Warren County Campus in Warrenton (Building 4, Room W4103); and Monday, Oct. 29, at Franklin Campus in Louisburg (Multipurpose Room, F4101).

VGCC’s Career & College Promise pathways lead to students acquiring entry-level job skills and/or credits that transfer to four-year universities. Students who select the College Transfer (CT) option will take general education courses that transfer seamlessly to any of the 16 public universities in the University of North Carolina system or participating private colleges or universities. VGCC currently offers two CT Pathways with a prescribed set of courses: the Associate in Arts and the Associate in Science.

VGCC’s Career & Technical Education (CTE) Pathways allow students to potentially earn certificates in more than 20 areas, including: Administrative Assistant, Heating & Air, Bioprocess, Business Management, Carpentry, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood, Electronics Engineering, Information Technology, Medical Office Administration, Paralegal, Robotics, and Simulation & Game Development; and diplomas in Carpentry, Electrical Systems, Information Technology, Paralegal and Welding.

Students and parents from anywhere in the four-county service area are invited to attend the CCP meeting of their choice and are not limited to attending the campus in their county.

For more information, contact Lyndon Hall at (252) 257-1900 or halll@vgcc.edu.

More information on the CCP program, including a Pathway Guide, is available at www.vgcc.edu/HighSchoolStudents/index.

U.S. Department of Justice

‘Project Safe Neighborhoods’ & ‘Take Back NC’ Making Communities Safer

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

One year ago, the Department of Justice announced the revitalization and enhancement of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which Attorney General Sessions has made the centerpiece of the Department’s violent crime reduction strategy. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Throughout the past year, we have partnered with all levels of law enforcement, local organizations, and members of the community to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

“Project Safe Neighborhoods is a proven program with demonstrated results,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said. “We know that the most effective strategy to reduce violent crime is based on sound policing policies that have proven effective over many years, which includes being targeted and responsive to community needs. I have empowered our United States Attorneys to focus enforcement efforts against the most violent criminals in their districts and directed that they work together with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and community partners to develop tailored solutions to the unique violent crime problems they face. Each United States Attorney has prioritized the PSN program, and I am confident that it will continue to reduce crime, save lives, and restore safety to our communities.”

“During the course of my over 25 years as a federal prosecutor, I have seen the dramatic impact that PSN can have on reducing violent crime in our communities. Following the Attorney General’s lead, we directed the revitalization of the PSN program in this District and have fully staffed it with aggressive and skilled prosecutors who can take on these violent criminals, and those who would victimize our citizens and local businesses. To reduce violent crime and remove drug traffickers from our neighborhoods, our efforts must be real on the streets of the cities, towns, and counties across the District and cannot just be a re-emphasis from Raleigh. As such, in March of this year, we implemented the Take Back North Carolina Initiative to mold our PSN program to address the specific violent crime problems that exist in eastern North Carolina.”

Take Back North Carolina is a partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office, District Attorney’s offices, and federal, state and local law enforcement agencies across the 44 counties of the district to combat violent crime, drug trafficking and crimes against law enforcement. This partnership includes 44 Sheriffs, 188 Police Departments, and 15 elected District Attorneys, and utilizes the regional assignment of Assistant United States Attorneys, strategic targeting, decentralized case intake authority, and public messaging. Regional prosecution teams have been given the responsibility of working directly with law enforcement on a sustained basis to reduce violent crime by targeting those organizations and individuals responsible for the increased violent crime rates and for introducing the poison of illegal drugs into those particular communities. Take Back North Carolina allows the entire district to have the full range of enforcement tools available through the federal court system, allows the regional teams to quickly route matters to federal court when prosecution in that venue would deliver the most significant impact, and protects and supports law enforcement officers who face unacceptable threat levels as they enforce the law.

As we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the revitalized PSN program, here are some of the highlights of our PSN actions over the past year:

Enforcement Actions

• Warren T. Baker was sentenced to 408 months in federal prison in August 2018 for his armed robbery of a Starbucks in Fayetteville, NC, during which he confronted employees at gunpoint. Baker had a prior federal conviction for armed bank robbery.

• Kelly Shadrome Anderson was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison in September 2018 after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Fleeing an altercation during which he fired a gun in Wilson, NC, Anderson took a 4-year-old child hostage inside a nearby house. Anderson had prior felony convictions for selling cocaine, breaking and entering, and assault on a female.

• Charlie O’Bryant Terry was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison in July 2018 for obstruction of justice and illegal possession of a firearm. Terry assaulted and robbed a couple at gunpoint in Vance County – placing a pistol in one victim’s mouth, and cutting the other victim’s head by repeatedly hitting him with the firearm. Terry had a prior federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

• Joseph Luther Lewis was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison in August 2018 for possession of a firearm by felon and possession of a stolen firearm. After having a gunfight with a drug dealer in Fayetteville, NC, Lewis traveled to Robeson County and forcibly abducted his girlfriend at gunpoint – kicking and punching her when she attempted to escape. Lewis had prior felony convictions for possession with the intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver marijuana and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon.

• David Kareem Turpin was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison in August 2018 for Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Turpin robbed Walmart, Food Lion, and Family Dollar stores in Raleigh, NC during which he brandished a firearm and abducted and threatened employees.

• John Devere Battle was sentenced to 1,272 months in federal prison this month for robbing several convenience stores in Cary, NC, as well as his role in committing a home invasion during which the victims were robbed, tied up, pistolwhipped, threatened, and forced to withdraw money from a bank. Battle had prior felony convictions for breaking and entering and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

News releases are available on the U.S. Attorney’s webpage at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce. Follow us on twitter @USAO_EDNC.

National Weather Service

Total Rainfall Amounts From Tropical Storm Michael

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-Information courtesy Brian K. Short, Director of Emergency Operations, Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations

The National Weather Service – Raleigh recently completed an analysis of 887 rain gauge sites across the state of North Carolina, looking at total rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Michael.  The map below is the result of this analysis and shows total rainfall during October 11-12, 2018.

The data for each of the sites was quality-checked for accuracy, and sites were only included if there was no missing data during the aforementioned time frame.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Update: 27K+ Without Power Locally, Restoration Could Take Days

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-Information courtesy Tanya Evans, District Manager, Duke Energy

After an intense evening of wind and rain, Duke Energy has restored power to 180,000 customers in the Carolinas in the wake of Tropical Storm Michael. This morning, over 430,000 customers remain without power in the Carolinas. You can always check our outage map<https://www.duke-energy.com/outages/current-outages> for county-specific information, but currently, here are the outage numbers in the local district:

  • Caswell – 5,849
  • Edgecombe – 190
  • Franklin – 5,749
  • Granville – 8,832
  • Halifax – 425
  • Nash – 5,080
  • Person – 5,485
  • Vance – 9,351
  • Warren – 3,459
  • Wilson – 26

We will provide estimated power restoration times once field crews complete damage assessments, which could take up to 24 hours. Some outages could take several days to repair.

6,000 workers – including power line technicians, damage assessors and tree specialists – are responding to the storm’s impact in the Carolinas. Additional repair crews from Florida and the Midwest are traveling to the Carolinas to assist.

For the latest storm or power restoration updates, visit https://www.dukeenergyupdates.com/michael/carolinas – or follow Duke Energy on Twitter (@DukeEnergy) and Facebook (Duke Energy).

Powerline safety:

  • Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging.
  • Consider all power lines – as well as trees, limbs and anything else in contact with power lines – energized and dangerous.
  • If a power line falls across a car that you’re in, stay in the car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.

Click here<https://illumination.duke-energy.com/articles/what-happens-when-something-touches-a-power-line> for a video about power line safety. You are welcome to share this on your social media channels.

Outage reporting:

Customers who experience an outage during the storm can report it by:

  •  Visiting www.duke-energy.com on a desktop computer or mobile device.
  • Texting OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply).
  • Calling the automated outage-reporting system at
  • DEC: 1-800-POWERON (1-800-769-3766)
  • DEP: 800.419.6356<tel:800.419.6356

Thank you for your patience and partnership as we work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible