Sheriff Carter's Newsletter

ST Wooten Offers $10,000 Reward For Arrests

2012-02-07T14:08:00.001-05:00

ST Wooten Company located at 911 Rocky Fork Church Rd. Sanford reported a larceny of $15,000 worth of wire cables. The company is offering $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Anyone with information, please contact our department.

Drug Agents Busy This Week

2012-02-03T18:35:00.000-05:00

Brad Michael Kelly, 28, of 412 Tramway West, Sanford, was arrested on 2-2-1012 for possession of a schedule II controlled substance (Opana), possession of a schedule VI controlled substance (Marijuana) and maintaining a dwelling to store drugs after county drug agents executed a search warrant at 124 Sweet Patty Lane. Kelly was placed in the Lee County Jail under $2000.00 secured bond.

Jeffrey Lamont Dorsett, 28, of 1540 Winslow Drive, Sanford, was arrested on 2-3-2012 for possession with intent to sell a schedule IV controlled substance (Alprazalam), possession with intent to sell Marijuana, maintaining a dwelling to store drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia after city and county drug agents executed a search of his home. Dorsett was placed in the Lee County Jail under $7500.00 secured bond.

Reward Offered for Vandalism to Grace Christian School

2012-02-03T08:18:00.003-05:00

Authorities are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of the vandal(s) that targeted Grace Christian School late Weds night through Thursday morning.

Thousands of dollars in damage, including the tagging of several structures with spray paint and also stealing hundreds of dollars in cash.

“They spray painted all over the interior walls, desks, phones, computer screens,” Murr said, adding that much of the damage was confined to the main building. “They also spray painted the exterior of, I believe, five buildings — including the gym and modular classrooms.”

The church sanctuary, he said, was unharmed.

The perpetrator, or perpetrators, also kicked in the door of the athletic director's office, broke a window to gain entry to the finance office and ransacked desks, according to Murr — making off with between $650 and $700.

If apprehended, the perpetrators face charges of breaking and entering, injury to property and larceny. Anyone with information on this case should contact the Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office is offering a $500.00 reward and David Marsh with Sanford Honda is offering an additional $1000.00 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspects.

Sheriff Carter Encourages Citizens to Adopt from CARA

2012-02-02T12:44:00.004-05:00

President of CARA, Kim Godon with Honey a 1½ year old Shiba Inu mix and Lee County Sheriff, Tracy Carter with Dasher a 4 month old Shepherd Chow Chow mix (from left to right). Advertisements Paid from Drug Assets Funds.To adopt a pet VISIT Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption or the Local Animal Shelter

Arrests Made in Noble Oil & Sanford Contractors Cases

2012-02-02T10:25:00.002-05:00

Two Lee County men were arrested in connection with a larceny of more than $7,500 worth of tires from Noble Oil Company located at 5617 Clyde Rhyne Dr. and more than $12,000 worth of tires from Sanford Contractors located at 628 Rocky Fork Ch. Rd. The tires were taken over a two week period in January 2012.

Steven Douglas Stone (38) W/M of 2708 Lemon Springs Rd. Sanford and Joshua Daniel Sistare (27) W/M of 523 Glenwood Dr. Sanford were both charged with felony breaking and entering, felony larceny and felony possession of stolen goods in connection w/ Noble Oil.

Stone and Sistare were charged w/ felony breaking and entering a trailer, felony larceny and felony possession of stolen goods in connection w/ Sanford Construction.

The majority of the tires were recovered in both cases. Investigation found Sistare and Stone had sold the tires to various tractor trailer owners in the area.

They both were held under $31,500 secured bond.

The Sheriff's Got Your Goat.....

2012-02-02T05:37:00.002-05:00

Found Property - On 01/30/2012 Lee County Sheriff’s Office Animal control unit found 1 brown and black female goat weighing approximately 25-30 lbs. The owner may reclaim them by contacting Sgt. Rodriguez at (919) 755-5531

Note: Owner must have proper documentation and be able to prove ownership and will be responsible all fines and fee due upon reclamation. NC G.S 68-18.1 If the animal is not claimed by March 1st, a public auction for the animal will be held at the Courthouse in order to recover the cost the county spends to care for the animal.

Internet Scams... Think Before You Act!

2012-01-24T11:49:00.003-05:00

Local area law enforcement agencies have noticed a slight increase in reports of telemarketing scams which indicate that potential victims have won large sums of money or high-priced items.

To claim the prizes, however, the scams require victims to wire money to the scammer in order to claim their prize. In one particular scam, the calls show up as coming from an 876 area code in Jamaica.

Calling this area code causes the victims to incur large international calling fees on their telephone bill, police said. Scams like these often target the elderly and are designed to extort money from victims who never receive a prize.

Sheriff Carter recommends that citizens follow these simple rules to avoid being scammed:

Never share your Social Security Number, bank account or credit card information with someone you don’t know who calls you or emails you.

Walk away from high-pressure sellers who tell you that you must make a decision right away.

Don’t sign any contract or other paperwork until you’ve had a chance to read and understand it. Also, obtain several references and do some investigative work online about the company yourself.

Never pay money upfront to get a loan or win a lottery or sweepstakes.

Don’t respond to letters or emails that ask you to help transfer money into your bank account or wire money out of the country.

Don’t cash checks you get in the mail along with a letter or call that tells you you’ve won an unexpected prize. The checks are most likely fakes.

Check out a company with Attorney General Roy Cooper’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM before you do business with them.

Sign Up for the “Do Not Call Registry” - You can sign up for the Registry for free by telephone or through the Internet. To register by phone, you must call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you wish to register. To register online, go to www.DONOTCALL.gov. You must have an active email address to register through the Internet so you can receive an email, which is part of the registration process.

Remembering Deputy Bill Turner

2012-01-13T15:49:00.004-05:00

Elwell "Bill" Turner was known as many things: county deputy, liquor-law enforcer, World War II veteran, baseball enthusiast and a longtime employee at Sanford's Miller-Boles Funeral Home.

But Turner, who at the age of 91 died Thursday morning at his Sanford home, might be known to many as the hero who helped bag a wanted man accused of killing a deputy in June 1959.

Original copies of The Herald detail how Turner, identified then as a county deputy, wounded a wanted man on the run from a roving posse of angry, gun-carrying locals allied with law enforcement. The wanted man was accused of the ambush and shooting death of Lee deputy Julian Lee Powers Jr., the last deputy killed in the line of duty for the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

Sanford City Councilman Jimmy Haire, a history enthusiast, said he talked recently about the manhunt with Turner, who pointed out for Haire the location in a wooded area off of Swann Station Road where he spotted the wanted gunman.

According to the June 9, 1959, edition of The Herald, Turner and the man traded shots, but Turner's shot struck the man in the side. The injured gunman gave up moments later.

In the decades that followed, Turner led a well-known career busting liquor stills, serving as a funeral home associate and even running for office as Lee County sheriff.

Friends and acquaintances confirmed that Turner died Thursday after a battle with cancer.

"He was just a great guy," Haire said. "He was like the 'dean of politics.' At 90 years old, he was involved in it."

Turner, a South Carolina native, was the son of the late J.M. Turner and Hattie Cade Turner, and husband to the late Ella Lee Turner.

His affiliations in his decades in Lee County included the local VFW, American Legion, Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge, Sanford Exchange Club and Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church.

Turner's work with the Exchange Club included concession stand duty at the city's Seventh Street baseball field, which would later be named Elwell Turner Field for the baseball lover.

David Holder Jr., whose father served as Lee sheriff at the time of the 1959 manhunt, said Turner served as a deputy when the office included only a pair of deputies armed with their own home-furnished guns.

"He was just an easygoing man," Holder said. "He didn't get excited about things. He understood that keeping the peace was his main objective."

Meanwhile, Haire, a former Herald photographer, told how years later Turner — then an ABC officer — would phone the newspaper to tip Haire off to an impending bust on a local liquor still.

Locals violating the alcohol regulations knew Turner was on the case, Haire said.

Lee Setzer, a senior funeral associate with Miller-Boles and friend to Turner, said Turner carried his easygoing nature into his many years with the local funeral home.

In that time, Setzer said Turner earned a reputation as a beloved barbecue cook and a clean-cut man.

"If I gave out the best-dressed award, Bill would have always gotten it," Setzer said. "He was just real neat."

Setzer added that Turner was also regarded as a professional and a dedicated worker, even during his last days battling cancer. Setzer said Turner worked his final day at the funeral home just two weeks ago.

"His health had been failing," Setzer said. "But he never complained."

Turner's funeral is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church with burial following in Buffalo Cemetery. Miller-Boles is handling the funeral arrangements.

Drug Agents Hard At Work This Week

2012-01-13T14:26:00.003-05:00

Michelle Chavis Hales 86 Applewood Drive Broadway, NC 27505
Charges: Possession of Cocaine, Maintain a Vehicle for Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Bond: $6,000.00

Henry Grady Woody IV
Charges: Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance, Maintain a Dwelling for Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Silvanus NicQuan Verbal 22657 Hwy 24/27 Cameron NC, 28326
Charges: Possession of Controlled Substance in Jail
Bond : $1,000.00

Eric Andre Thompson 85 Keystone Ln. Sanford, NC 27330
Charges: Possession of Marijuana, Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Bond: $1500.00

Jury Duty

2012-01-12T05:42:00.004-05:00

If you are required to serve on a jury, you may be asked to make decisions that affect others' civil or property rights, or you may be asked to determine someone's right to freedom or even to life itself. Jurors' contributions are invaluable to the court and our democratic tradition.

Here is a link that I encourage all citizens to view when you get called for jury duty. There's even an informative video (check the left menu bar once on the link)

http://www.nccourts.org/Citizens/JDuty/Default.asp

Drop Box Available for Old Prescription Drugs

2012-01-11T21:32:00.003-05:00

Unwanted, unused or expired prescription drugs have been determined to present substantial risks to our community by either falling into the wrong hands, or by damaging our environment through improper disposal. It is this awareness that has resulted in Sheriff Carter providing a safe alternative method to dispose of unwanted pharmaceuticals.

The Problem

Studies have shown that residential supplies of pharmaceutical controlled substances - those found in our home medicine cabinets - have become the supply of choice for young people and criminals. Many abusers, a high percentage of which are teens, are known to have obtained their controlled substances from the homes of family and friends. In addition, research has shown that our environment has been threatened by medications being flushed down toilets. Most controlled substances are created synthetically, and are not removed through normal water-treatment processes. This can result in the discharge of these substances into the environment and into our ground water supplies.

The Solution

The Sheriff’s Department is pleased to announce the installation of a secure collection drop-box at our headquarters at the courthouse in Sanford. Citizens are now welcome to come by and dispose of any unwanted medications anonymously, anytime, any day.

One Arrested after Search Warrant Executed

2012-01-04T17:41:00.002-05:00

Brian Thomas Bright, 35, of 212 Marks Street, Sanford, was arrested on 1-2-2012 for possession with intent to sell Cocaine, maintaining a dwelling to store drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia after members of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division and the Sanford Police Department’s Tactical Narcotics Team executed a search warrant at his home and discovered Crack Cocaine and items of paraphernalia. He was placed in the Lee County Jail under $10,000 secured bond.

Drug Agents Arrest Two in Two Different Cases

2011-12-30T21:44:00.001-05:00

Karen Coe Willett-Boutin, 40, of 109 Millstone, West End, NC was arrested on 12-29-2011 for sell and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance, possession with intent to sell and maintaining a vehicle to store drugs after an undercover operation by Lee County Drug agents. Willett-Boutin was placed in the Lee County Jail under $45,500.00 secured bond.

Calvin D. France, 53, of 806 Evans Street, High Point, was arrested on 12-28-2011 for possession with intent to sell Heroin, maintaining a vehicle to store drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia after county drug agents seized 20 dosage units of Heroin, 1 dosage unit of Morphine and a small amount of Marijuana. He was placed in the Lee County Jail under $20,000.00 secured bond.

Drug Agents Arrest Two For Pills

2011-12-16T19:05:00.001-05:00

Jeremy Christopher Haire, 35, of 926 Frank Wicker Road, Sanford, was arrested on 12-15-2011 for Trafficking a schedule II controlled substance (Percocet), possession with intent to sell a schedule II controlled substance (Alprazalam), maintaining a vehicle to store drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop on Swann’s Station road by County Drug agents. Haire was transported to the Lee County Jail and placed under $225,000.00 secured bond. Agents also arrested the passenger of the vehicle, Donald Andrew Thomas, 47, of Olivia Road, and charged him with Possession with intent to sell a schedule II controlled substance (Percocet) and possession o drug paraphernalia. Thomas was placed in the Lee County Jail under $6000.00 secured bond.

Three Arrested After Concerned Citizens Call 911

2011-12-16T12:48:00.003-05:00

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office simultaneously began investigating 2 separate burglaries that were occurring in opposite areas in the county and both were witnessed by concerned citizens.

At 12:02 PM a utilities worker on Pendergrass Rd. called and reported he witnessed 2 white males and one white female run from behind 927 Pendergrass Rd carrying garbage bags and put them in a white Cadillac and were heading towards Hwy 42 West. At 12:16 PM a Villanow resident called the Sheriff’s Office and reported they were following a green van that had broken into a residence at 7983 Villanow Dr. The caller followed the vehicle into Moore County where they lost the vehicle. The vehicle was soon located abandoned in Moore County. The white Cadillac from Pendergrass Rd. was located at 208 Willett Rd. and 3 were arrested in connection to burglary.

David William Collins (22) W/M of 208 Willett Rd. Sanford was held under $25,000 secured bond.

Christopher Shane Brown (23) W/M of 4409 Buckhorn Rd. Sanford was held under $10,000 secured bond.

Michaela Saddaela Norris (17) W/F of 514 Raymack Dr. Sanford was held under $10,000 secured bond.

All three was charged w/ breaking and entering, larceny and possession of stolen goods.

Charles Ray Chalkley of 927 Pendergrass Rd. Sanford reported 2 military bullet proof vests, military clothing, watch, 9mm pistol, children toys and clothes taken from his residence.

Bobby Ray Hart of 7983 Villanow Dr. Sanford reported a larceny of fishing rods and reels and power equipment taken from his residence (no arrest at this time in this case).

Note: Brown and Collins were also charged w/ breaking and entering a residence on December 14^th at 2343 Blackstone Rd.

"When in doubt, call them out!" Good Job Lee County!

Honoring Those Who Serve

2011-12-16T05:42:00.004-05:00

Recognizing the men and women who served our nation keeps us mindful of the freedoms we enjoy. To ensure that their sacrifices are not forgotten, I honor those who stood proudly so that we might live fully and learn to better understand and create opportunities for a more peaceful world.

As many local families celebrate the homecoming of loved ones serving, I want to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude as well. Not only to those that have served and sacrificed abroad, but for those that serve in our community day in and day out, like Firemen, 911 personnel, EMS and Law Enforcement. Thank you...

5th Annual Holiday Basket Delivery

2011-12-15T10:34:00.004-05:00

Lee County Sheriff’s Office employees delivery the 5th annual holiday baskets to over 100 senior citizens from the Sheriff’s Citizen Well Check Program. All seniors living alone qualify for this program. Every Tuesday, a staff member of the Sheriff’s Office calls to check on participants. If you or someone you know could benefit from this program, live in Lee County, and are 65 or older, please call Lt. Prevatte at 919-718-4561, ext.7 to enroll or to find out more information.

Farmstead Drive Man Arrested on Minter School Road

2011-12-14T17:58:00.001-05:00

John Derek Hancox, 33, of 4005 Farmstead Dr, Sanford, was arrested on 12-11-2011 for possession with intent to sell or deliver a schedule II controlled substance (Percocet), maintaining a vehicle to store drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia after a vehicle stop by county drug agents on Minter School Road. Hancox was released under $5000.00 bond.

South Plank Road Man Arrested

2011-12-09T21:27:00.001-05:00

Albert Eugene Chesney, 78, of 702 South Plank Road, Sanford, was arrested for possession with intent to sell Cocaine, maintaining a dwelling to store drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia after drug agents from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Sanford Police Department executed a search warrant at his home and found him in possession of 14 dosage units of Crack Cocaine and a stolen Firearm. Chesney was transported to the Lee County jail and placed under $26,000.00 secured bond.

12 Scams of the Holidays

2011-12-08T05:44:00.002-05:00

Tis the season to be wary, fa la la la la la la la la.

The holidays are just around the corner and as we prepare for the excitement and mayhem of holiday planning and shopping, we must not forget that we are not alone. Cybercriminals, too, are looking forward to the hubbub of holiday cheer, readying themselves to take advantage of various aspects of our lives: our desire to spend time with our families, our socially connected lifestyles, our penchant for owning mobile devices, and our collective good spirit.

Listed below are 12 of the most popular holiday cyber scams. Take a look, spread awareness amongst your family and friends, and keep everyone Internet-safe and happy.

Taking advantage of your family

Hotel “wrong transaction” malware emails

Many of us travel over the holidays to unwind, recharge and refresh ourselves. Whether we’re traveling to see friends and family or vacationing with loved ones, all we want to do is to spend some time alone with the people we care about. One of the last things on our minds is to worry about scams, but cybercriminals have created a way to take advantage of our desire for some family time. Scammers have taken to sending out emails that appear to be from a hotel, notifying recipients of a “wrong transaction” that has been charged to their credit cards. Of course, this type of notice is alarming to anyone who receives it, and generally, their first instinct is to download the attached refund form to get their money back. And with a click of a button, victims download malware onto the machines, and there’s no telling what sorts of mischievous activities will follow.

Tip: Play it safe and remember to never open an email from an unfamiliar sender. When in doubt, always call the establishment from which the email seems to have been delivered.

Mystery shopper scams

The holidays would not be complete without holiday shopping for your loved ones, and we could all use a little extra cash to get the perfect gift for that special someone. Some of us pick up seasonal jobs to help finance the gift-giving season, and one of the most popular jobs is that of the mystery shopper, hired to go undercover at a store and report back about the customer service they received. Taking advantage of our generous and hardworking spirit, cybercriminals have taken to sending out text messages to “recruit” mystery shoppers, instructing them to call a number to inquire about the position. Once they call, criminals request their personal information, including credit card and bank account numbers.

Tip: Always remember that legitimate companies would never ask for this information or recruit employees with text messages.

Taking advantage of your connected lifestyle

“I’m away from home” scams

Are you connected to people you don’t know on social networks like Facebook? And do you openly broadcast your travel plans and whereabouts? You can probably see where this is going – there is an inherent risk with letting people know that you will be away from home. Burglars can be pretty tech savvy, and in this day and age, online searches can easily turn up anyone’s home address, and publicizing that your home will be vacant is almost akin to inviting someone to rob you.

Tip: Don’t connect with people you don’t know, and don’t publicize that your home will be empty and open for burglary.

Phony Facebook promotions and contests

It’s not uncommon for companies to advertise great deals and contests on Facebook, and generally, when we see promotions and prizes that look interesting, our first reaction is to sign up. After all, who doesn’t love getting free stuff and saving money? Cybercriminals know this, and will create phony promotions and contests to lure participants, request them to fill out multiple surveys with their personal information, and then pass on this information to spam and telemarketing companies.

Tip: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There is no such thing as a free lunch, and your personal information is much more valuable than anything that any company could offer.

Scareware, or fake antivirus software

Scare is fake antivirus software that tricks users into believing that their computer is at risk of infection, or is already infected, so they agree to download and pay for phony software. With an estimated one million victims worldwide falling for this scam every day, this is one of the most common and dangerous Internet threats. In October 2010, McAfee reported that scareware represented 23 per cent of all dangerous Internet links. Since many consumers typically receive new computers for the holidays, we expect an increase in scareware scams.

Tip: The safest way to go about purchasing security software is by going directly to the website of legitimate vendors or well-established retail outlets.

Malicious content and websites

We tend to spend more time online during the holiday season searching for gifts and other holiday ideas, and will often run into holiday-themed content like ringtones and e-cards that we may want to download. It’s important to remember that there’s a possibility that a good percentage of the content available on the Internet is malicious. In fact, it has been found that within the top 100 results of daily top search terms, nearly 50 per cent lead to malicious sites.

Tip: Always use a trusted safe search tool, perhaps one is built into your anti-virus program, which tells you right in the search results page if a site is safe to click on.

Taking advantage of your mobile devices

Malicious mobile apps

According to a recent global study to assess the attitudes of Internet users all over the world when it comes to such topics as Web security and data protection, 60 per cent of average home Internet users now own at least three digital devices, like PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets, per household, with 25 per cent of users now owning at least five devices. The growing popularity of mobile devices has proved irresistible to cybercriminals and they’re now increasingly targeting mobile users with malicious applications often disguised as fun downloads like games. These are designed to steal personal information from smartphones or send out expensive text messages.

Tip: Remember to only download apps from official app stores, such as iTunes and the Android Market. It’s also useful to read users’ reviews before downloading them.

Mac malware

The percentage of consumers who own Apple Mac and iOS devices is growing rapidly, and cybercriminals are taking advantage of this by designing a new wave of malware directed as these operating systems. While Apple machines and devices were once seen as insulated from Internet security threats, malware targeting the Mac platform has recently increased by 10 per cent a month, and predictions are that iPhones and iPads are next.

Tip: Always be sure to download Mac updates and install security software

Taking advantage of the holiday spirit

Zombie infections

Computer zombies are just as scary as the walking-dead kind. They are infected computers that are being remotely controlled by a hacker without the owner’s knowledge, and they send out spam and try to infect other unsuspecting systems. Getting infected by a zombie is as easy as clicking on an attachment in a holiday-themed spam email.

Tip: Practice safe surfing and always use antivirus protection.

Holiday phishing scams

There are many seasonal traditions and activities that consumers engage in, including the sending of packages and greetings and participating in and donating to charities. Knowing this, cybercriminals tailor their emails and messages with holiday themes in the hopes of phishing recipients into revealing personal information. Phishing is the act of tricking consumers into revealing information or performing actions they wouldn’t normally do online.

A common holiday phishing scam is a phony notice from a local courier service stating that you have a package and need to fill out an attached form to get it delivered. The form may ask for personal or financial details that will go straight into the hands of the cyberscammer.

Fake charity requests are another popular scam this time of the year. Be suspicious of any unsolicited emails and never respond with sensitive information. If you would like to donate to a charity, pick a well-established organization and contact them directly through their website.

Tip: Always be careful where you click and be sure to scope out the situation before providing your personal information.

Online coupon scams

Couponing has become wildly popular and there’s nothing better than a deal during the holidays. Scammers know that by offering irresistible online coupons, they can convince people to hand over some of their personal information. For example, they could require consumers to provide financial information such as their credit card number to redeem the coupon. And in some cases, scammers are circulating fake coupons that consumers cannot redeem.

Tip: Use reputable coupon sites and always remember that if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

“It” gift scams

Every year there are hot holiday gifts, such as toys and gadgets, that sell out early in the season. Gift-givers sometimes become desperate to obtain the “it” gift and they search high and low for it online. When a gift is hot, scammers will advertise these gifts on rogue websites and social networks, even if they don’t have them. The result is that consumers end up paying for an item and giving away their credit card details, only to receive nothing in return. Once the scammers have their personal financial details, there is little recourse.

Tip: Be wary of those sellers you’ve never had purchasing experiences with, and only purchase items from reputable establishments.

Bailey Thomas Rd Man Arrested For Robbery

2011-12-05T10:28:00.002-05:00

On 12/4/2011, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office investigated an armed robbery of Jackson Brother’s Produce, located at 2424 Jefferson Davis Hwy. The owner, Mitchell Jackson, reported that a male subject entered the business, produced a firearm, and demanded money. The owner provided an undisclosed amount of money to the suspect. The suspect then left in a gold color vehicle. With the assistance of the Sanford Police Department, a suspect was established and an arrest of Robert Vicente Soto, 22 of 1525 Bailey Thomas Rd. was made several hours after the robbery. Roberto Soto was placed in Lee County Jail for Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon. His was given a $100,000 secured bond.

Castle Doctrine Law Presentation To Be Held Dec 8th

2011-12-03T21:35:00.004-05:00

Beaver Creek Community Building
(click here for map)

Thursday, December 8th at 7 pm

Citizens in Beaver Creek Community are encouraged to attend this meeting to hear information on the new Castle Doctrine Law that took effect December 1^st.

Sheriff Carter and his staff will be there to talk with you and answer any questions you may have.

Please invite your neighbors who might be interested in learning more about this new law.

Shopping With The Sheriff

2011-12-03T21:20:00.001-05:00

Planning a Holiday Trip? Don't Tip Off Thieves

2011-12-03T07:10:00.003-05:00

Presents, shopping and decorations are things normally associated with the holiday season. What you might not realize is home burglaries is also linked to what is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year.

According to the FBI, about 400,000 burglaries take place in the U.S. during the months of November and December every year.

Items that thieves typically look for are things that can be easily sold: tools, bicycles, cameras, and expensive items such as furs and jewelry. And with the price of gold selling at $1,715.50 an ounce, it's more important than ever to be extra vigilant.

Especially with the struggling economy, police and security experts say you should take precautions to make sure a real Grinch doesn’t break into your home – stealing what’s under the tree and more – all while you’re on vacation celebrating the season.

1. Don’t make your home a target: Make sure you and your kids don’t post anywhere online, either on message boards or social media sites, when or where you are going on vacation. Also, don’t post photos until you get home. You may think your friends on Facebook are really your friends, but friends of friends might be able to see your profile. Many burglaries are actually committed by people that know someone you know.

2. Make your home less attractive for burglars: Increase outdoor lighting and put your lights on a timer so the home will not appear to be empty while you’re on vacation. Trim the trees and shrubs around the exterior.

3. Secure the exterior openings of your home: Upgrade your locks to grade one locks, which have a stronger bolt. Consider a kit like Armored Concepts’ EZ Armor which takes about 30 minutes to install. It includes several steel plates – reinforcing the hinges and lock area of your doors. Add locks to your windows and sliding glass doors if they don’t already have them.

4. Be aware of your surroundings when shopping and traveling: Securing all your possessions, not just those in your home. If you’re visiting a city that is new to you, ask the hotel where you should and shouldn’t walk before venturing out. Keep your wallet and money in your front pockets. If using a purse, hold it close to your body at all times. Don’t bring valuables to a resort. If you’re nervous about leaving them at home, get a safe box at your local bank.

Lee County Man Sentenced to Nearly 14 Years

2011-12-01T17:33:00.002-05:00

Dwight Leander Solomon, 38, of 54 Springfield Road, Sanford, was sentenced to 164 months in federal prison on 12-1-2011 in the middle district of North Carolina in Greensboro. Solomon was indicted federally earlier this year for drug and weapon offenses after a nearly 2 year investigation by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division and the Sanford Police Departments Tactical Narcotics Team. Solomon must also serve 5 years of supervised probation upon his release.

Castle Doctrine Law Takes Effect Thursday

2011-11-30T19:40:00.002-05:00

North Carolina’s new “Castle Doctrine” law, which addresses certain circumstances under which a person can legally shoot or use other deadly force against another, takes effect Thursday.

Law enforcement and weapons experts say the new law, which was passed by North Carolina legislators in June, will give state residents a clearer perspective on when they are authorized to use “deadly force” against an assailant or robber.

“People have always had the right to defend themselves, but it does give you more protection,” said Lee County Sheriff Tracy Carter, a proponent of the new legal provisions.

North Carolina’s current Castle Doctrine only applies to homes, but under the new law it also applies to vehicles and places of work. The Castle Doctrine, rooted in English common law, expresses the belief that one should be safe from illegal intrusion in one’s home.

Previous laws granted some leverage inside the home, but new regulations extend that refuge to property like cars or campsites. One of its more controversial stipulations will grant permission to licensed gun owners to carry a weapon into state parks.

Dave Wulff, a retired Cary police executive and a firearms instructor at Sanford’s Deep River Sporting Clays and Shooting School, said earlier laws allowed residents to use deadly force if a burglar is in the process of breaking into the home, although the rules change once the intruder is inside.

At that point, an individual would have to abide by common law provisions that required a person to fear they were in imminent danger of death, injury or sexual assault before using deadly force.

Wulff, a Deep River instructor since the state’s current gun laws were enacted in 1995, said many of his students were baffled by the distinction.

“What it’s ultimately done for some people is clear up some things in the law that maybe needed to be cleared up,” Wulff said.

New laws will open the door for individuals to refer to a tougher Castle Doctrine, a legal guidepost authorizing a resident to use force to protect their home.

Critics of the argument say the eased restrictions could lead to more violence and unnecessary shootings, problems that advocates say will be non-existent for trained, licensed gun owners.

Sanford Police Department Chief Ronnie Yarborough said the doctrine and the new law assumes that a person should be safe from attack inside their home.

“The changes should make things a little more clear for people and make people more comfortable,” Yarborough said. “Pretty much in this law is a presumption that basically if you fear for your life, you can use deadly force.”

Yarborough said previous rules pushed an individual to indicate some form of retreat before taking action. That is not the case anymore, according to Yarborough.

“I think the changes will be popular with basically the law-abiding citizens and give them more right to protect themselves,” he added.

Leaders said the new legislation will have little to no effect on law enforcement, with Yarborough promising officers will continue to thoroughly investigate shootings involving home intruders.

The new law defines a person’s home as any property with a roof where the person lives and also includes “curtilage,” which is the area immediately around a home. It defines a person’s workplace as any property with a roof used for commercial purposes. It says a home or workplace can be temporary or permanent and specifically says either one can be a tent.

Under the new law, the lawful occupant of a home, motor vehicle or workplace isn’t required to retreat prior to using deadly force.

The new law presumes that a person who unlawfully and by force enters or attempts to enter one of these locations intends to commit an unlawful act involving force or violence.

The new law presumes that a lawful occupant of a home, motor vehicle or workplace reasonably fears imminent death or serious bodily harm to himself, herself or another when using defensive force likely to cause death or serious injury if:

• the person against whom defensive force was used was unlawfully and forcefully entering or had already entered a motor vehicle, or workplace, or if the person had taken or was trying to take another person against his will from the home, motor vehicle or workplace;

• the person using defensive force knew or had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry or unlawful and forcible act was occurring or had occurred.

When deadly force isn’t lawful

The new law says presumption of lawful use of deadly force does not apply when:

• the person against whom the defensive force is used has the right to be in or is a lawful resident of the home, motor vehicle, or workplace, and there is no written injunction or order prohibiting contact;

• the person sought to be removed from the home, motor vehicle or workplace is a child or grandchild or is in the lawful custody or under lawful guardianship of the person against whom defensive force is used;

• the person using defensive force is using the home, motor vehicle, or workplace to further any criminal offense that involves the use or threat of physical force or violence against anyone;

• the person against whom the defensive force is used is a law enforcement officer or bail bondsman in lawful performance of his official duties, and the officer or bail bondsman identified himself or herself or the person using force knew or reasonably should have known that the person entering or attempting to enter was a law enforcement officer or bail bondsman;

• the person against whom defensive force is used has discontinued efforts to unlawfully and forcefully enter the home, motor vehicle or workplace and has exited those locations.

Defense of self or others

The new law also modifies rules of self-defense and defense of others.

It provides a person using non-deadly force with immunity from civil and criminal liability if the person using it reasonably believes it’s necessary for defense against imminent unlawful force.

It says a person can use deadly force without first retreating if the person reasonably believes it’s necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or another person or under circumstances permitted under the state’s revised Castle Doctrine.

It says a person using non-deadly or deadly force in accordance with the new law is protected from civil or criminal liability unless he used it against a law enforcement officer lawfully performing his duties and the officer identified himself as required or the person using force knew or should have known that the person was a law enforcement officer lawfully performing his duties.

Defensive force isn’t justified for people committing or escaping after committing a felony or who provokes the use of force.

The new law says a person attempting to commit, committing, or escaping after the commission of a felony isn’t justified in using defensive force.

The new law says a person who provokes use of force against himself is justified in using defensive force if he believes he is in imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm and has no reasonable way to escape. It says this person is also justified in using defensive force if he clearly indicates he wants to withdraw from physical contact and the other person continues use of force.

Old law much shorter

The much shorter law being replaced says, “A lawful occupant within a home or other place of residence is justified in using any degree of force that the occupant reasonably believes is necessary, including deadly force, against an intruder to prevent a forcible entry into the home or residence or to terminate the intruder’s unlawful entry if the occupant reasonably apprehends that the intruder may kill or inflict serious bodily harm to the occupant or others in the home or residence, or if the occupant reasonably believes that the intruder intends to commit a felony in the home or residence.” It also says, “A lawful occupant within a home or other place of residence does not have a duty to retreat from an intruder in the circumstances described in this section.”

Carter said the biggest benefit will be seen for lawful residents who can take up arms against robbers.

“It’s going to happen to one of these thieves that continue to break into homes, or somebody that chooses to take others’ property,” Carter said. “It’s going to happen because people are tired and fed up. This should be a warning to people that prey on other people.”

City Man Arrested for Morphine and Firearm

2011-11-30T19:34:00.001-05:00

Malachi Keel, 65, of 500 Dudley Street, Sanford was arrested on 11-30-2011 for possession with intent to sell a schedule II controlled substance (Morphine) and possession of a stolen firearm. Keel was released under $10,000.00 bond.

Agents Arrest Two

2011-11-28T19:00:00.000-05:00

David Vincent Morrison Jr, 32, of 1103 Goldsboro Ave, Sanford, was arrested on 11-22-2011 by County Drug Agents for possession with intent to sell Cocaine, Possession with intent to sell a schedule IV controlled substance (Alprazalam), Sell and Delivery of Cocaine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was placed in the Lee County Jail under $35,000.00 secured bond.

Joshua Keith Wilson, 25, of Cary, was arrested on 11-27-2011 for possession of a controlled substance in a jail Facility, possession with intent to sell a schedule IV Controlled substance (Xanax), and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was placed in the Lee County Jail under $5000.00 secured bond.

Five Tips for Safe Holiday Shopping Online

2011-11-21T18:09:00.001-05:00

1. Shop Securely with HTTPS:

Have you ever noticed that some websites have HTTPS versus HTTP in their URL? Sometimes it’s accompanied by a little padlock icon.

The added on “S” stands for Secure. What this means is, the site is, for the most part, safer because all the private information you send to the site, like credit card numbers or your home address, is encrypted. In simple terms, encryption is the process of scrambling sensitive information so that any outside parties other than the vendor themselves can’t access your information.

Best practice is to only make purchases on websites that have HTTPS; however, if you come across one that doesn’t, you could try something like the HTTPS Everywhere add-on for Firefox. Whenever possible, this add-on will switch the websites domain to a secure one, giving you a safer shopping experience.

Below is what it’ll look like once it’s installed. From here, you don’t have to do anything. The add-on will automatically secure URLs whenever it can.

2. Don’t Use Auction Sites – They Can Be Risky:

During the holidays, it’s always best to avoid sites like EBay, Craigslist or Penny Auction where individuals are selling products. Even third-party retailers through Amazon can be sketchy, so try and stick to Amazon proper or other reputable companies that have a good seller history.

There are two reasons for this. First, you’re trusting an individual with your purchase, regardless of whether or not they use a secure transaction method like Paypal. They’re not a company or an organization and therefore have zero liability if things go wrong with your purchase. And second, scam artists are more likely to set up false accounts during the holidays. Their aim is to target shoppers looking for specific gifts that you can’t find in stores, or shoppers who are looking to get a “cheaper deal” on something that’s being resold.

3. Don’t Allow Sites To Save Your Credit Card and Personal Information:

Saving your credit card information on retail websites can create a more convenient shopping experience, but is it safe? Not if hackers have a say in it. And that’s what Sony, a very large and reputable company, learned the hard way when their user database was hacked earlier this year. The hack, which exposed the personal information and credit card numbers of nearly 77 million customers, was an eye-opener, not only for Sony, but for all major online retailers and service providers that store user information.

On the other hand, the auto-fill feature that exists on most web browsers is something to think about, as well. When entering your information on a particular website for the first time, your browser might ask you if you want to save (or automatically save) said information. If anyone were to get their hands on your laptop, well, I’m sure you can determine the risk.

In the end, it might be worth taking that extra 30 seconds to manually enter your information at checkout.

4. Don’t Click on Pop Ups and Avoid Email Scams:

Smaller online shopping sites tend to have more pop-up ads, especially during the holidays because they know people are shopping. These pop-ups usually scream “good deals”, but in reality the only person getting a good deal is the scam artist or phony company behind it.

Your personal information isn’t the only thing at risk here; there’s a good chance your computer will catch a virus, too. There are plenty of signs to watch out for; probably too many to even list out, so best practice is to NEVER click pop-up ads. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

The same warning goes for email scams. These are much easier to fall for because they are directly targeted at you, and they can be disguised VERY well. Scammers tend to double their efforts around the holiday season, so be very careful when digging through your inbox.

5. Watch Out For Facebook Scams:

Email isn’t the only way scam artists target holiday shoppers. Facebook has proven time and time again to be a viable way of reeling in deal hunters. In order to keep your personal information safe and prevent your account from getting hacked into, make sure you use the privacy settings to their full potential. As well, refrain from clicking quizzes or questionnaires that promise coupons or free gifts.

The same holds true for adding applications. Be careful about which applications you add since some of them mimic legitimate applications and will steal your log-in and other personal information after you’ve granted them access.

Finally, you want to be on the lookout for friends on Facebook that have been posting strange status updates and liking posts that look questionable. There’s a good chance they fell for one of the scams mentioned above and they’re not actually posting these updates themselves. Just remember, if something looks too good to be true, then it probably is!

Example of a malicious application requesting access to all your information.

Example of a scam that steals your information and spams your friends.

So, parents, these five simple points will help ensure you have a safer holiday shopping experience. There are plenty of other precautions that I haven’t covered here, but this is the bulk of it. Just keep in mind that the holidays are a prime time for identity thieves and scammers to do their dirty work, so be extra careful when clicking around looking for the best deals. And if you have any tips you’d like to add, please share in the comments below. Safe shopping!

Sheriff Urges Holiday Shopping Safety

2011-11-17T16:03:00.004-05:00

“The holiday season is right around the corner and shoppers are crowding local businesses to buy the latest gadgets and find the best deals,” said Sheriff Carter.

But what shoppers are neglecting is their safety. According to Sheriff Carter, “This time of year attracts more shopping-related criminal activity because of the larger crowds and the extended store hours. These factors and the usual distraction of shopping, creates a more favorable environment for petty thieves and other offenders.

The Sheriff reminds all Lee County residents to follow these safety tips:

Shopping Safety:

· A single shopper is the best target for theft. Always shop with a friend or relative.

· When going shopping, tell someone where you are going and what time to expect you to return. Also, make sure they know what you are wearing, as well as the type of vehicle you are driving.

· Shop during daylight hours. If you shop at night, park your vehicle in a well-lit area.

· Dress casually and comfortably and avoid wearing expensive jewelry. If carrying
cash, keep it in your front pocket rather than in a purse or wallet. This makes it much more difficult for a pick-pocket to remove. Also store car keys in a pants or jacket pocket. If your purse is stolen, you will still be able to drive home.

· Pay careful attention to your surroundings and avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.

· When returning to your vehicle, check around it and in the back seat. Be aware of strangers approaching you for any reason. Have you car keys in your hand to avoid spending unnecessary time unprotected from the security of your vehicle.
If you have a keyless entry system, pressing the “Panic” button to sound the horn is usually effective to bring attention to your situation.

· If you feel uneasy returning to your vehicle alone, find a security guard and ask them to walk you to your car.

· If it gets dark outside when you are done shopping, try to get an escort or security guard from the store to walk you to your car. If this is not possible carry a self defense product (pepper spray, etc) with you and have it ready when you go toward your car.

According to Sheriff Carter “During this time of year, busy holiday shoppers become careless and vulnerable to other crimes as well. Credit card fraud and gift card fraud are on the rise. However, taking a few preventive measures can help.”

Credit Card Fraud:

· Keep a close watch on your credit card every time you use it, and make sure you
get it back as quickly as possible.

· Never write your PIN number on your credit card.

· Never leave your credit cards or receipts lying around.

· Shield your credit card number so that others around you can’t copy it or capture it on a mobile telephone or other camera.

· Only carry credit cards that you absolutely need.

· Shred anything with your credit card number written on it.

· If you’re planning to purchase online, make sure the web page where you enter your credit card information is secure through SSL (Secure Socket Layer). You can tell if the web page is secure by looking for the gold lock or key icon at the bottom corner of your browser window.

· If you’re not comfortable submitting your information through the internet, call the seller and give them your information over the telephone. Never send your credit card information via email.

· Check the company out. Only do business with companies that provide a physical address and telephone number.

· Keep good records. Always print out a copy of any online products or services you purchase.

Gift Card Fraud:

· Never buy gift cards from online auction sites. This is a large source of gift card fraud. Many of the gift cards are stolen, counterfeit or used.

· Only buy gift cards directly from the store issuing the gift card or from a secure retailer’s website.

· Don’t buy gift cards off of publicly displayed racks in retail stores. Only purchase gift cards at the sales terminal from the cashier.

· Always carefully examine both the front and back of a gift card before you buy it. If you see a PIN number, ask for a different card. If the card looks like it has been tampered with in any way, put it back.

· Always ask the store cashier to scan the gift card in front of you. This will guarantee that your card is valid when you buy it and that it reflects the balance you just charged it with.

· Always keep your receipt as a proof of purchase as long as there is money stored on the gift card.

· If possible, register your gift card at the store’s website

· Never give your Social Security number, date of birth or any other unneeded private information when purchasing a gift card. No reputable company will ask for this information.

In light of these problems, Sheriff Carter warns shoppers to be careful so that they don’t become the victim of criminal activity. “Unfortunately, when shopping, people have a tendency to let their guard down,” said Sheriff Carter. “However, paying attention and taking precautions can help eliminate their chances of being victimized.”

Sheriff Announces New Citizens Patrol Academy

2011-11-16T07:47:00.001-05:00

The Sheriff's Citizens Patrol (SCP) was initiated by Sheriff Tracy Carter to give citizens of Lee County a better understanding of the day-to-day operations of his department. This ten-week course gives citizens an in-depth look and hands on training into the career of law enforcement at the sheriff's office. Citizens are instructed by deputies on the subject of patrol, jail, communications, investigations, court, and community policing.

The SCP is an 10-week program, in which courses are held once per week from 6:00 p.m. until approximately 10:00 p.m. Each week a new topic is introduced and discussed. Citizens will also have the opportunity to ride along with a patrol deputy, work with jail deputies and communication officers. This enables them to observe first hand how the sheriff's office handles incidents.

Participants must be 18 years of age or older, have no felony or serious misdemeanor convictions and must be a resident or business owner in Lee County.

There is no cost for participants and each student who successfully completes the academy will take part in graduation.

The training will commence in the Spring of 2012 for the first twenty qualified applicants. Further information can be obtained by contacting Lt. David Prevatte @ DPrevatte@leecountync.gov

Applications are available in the lobby of the Sheriff's Office and can be completed onsite or can be downloaded here. Once completed, you can either drop them off with the on-duty Dispatcher or you can mail it to Lt. David Prevatte, LCSO, 1401 Elm St. Sanford, NC 27330. Once the desired number of approved applications are received, participants will be notified. Future applications received will be placed in the next academy.