Sheriff's Staff Stunned

Stunned as in by a Taser weapon system! Today some members of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, both deputies and jail staff, took a shot from a taser as the final step in training for the use of the weapon, which fires up to 50,000 volts of incapacitating elec­tricity for up to five seconds. If you recall, the Sheriff purchased one for the jail on a trial basis back in May '07.

The department recently acquired several additional weapons, which cost roughly $1,300 each, through vari­ous forms of grant funding. They are considered an alter­native to the use of deadly force that handguns deliver. Sheriff Tracy Carter has said he hopes in the future to have most, if not all, of his deputies and jailers armed with tasers.

Click here for a short video demo of the Taser.

Similar story on WRAL for September 5, 2007

Sheriff's Office Raid Nets $2 Million Cocaine Bust, Biggest In Their History!

Saturday night faired well for Sheriff Carter and his department by preventing 10 and a half kilos of cocaine from reaching the streets and placing three people in custody for drug charges following a six-week investigation leading to a raid at 2993 Blackstone Road.



Estimated street value of the seizure is more than $2 million dollars. Several semi-automatic weapons and a small amount of cash were also seized. Three suspects were arrested and charged with drug trafficking, possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaining a dwelling to store drugs: Francisco Regollar, 27, of Atlanta; Juan Carlos Frausto, 17, of Sanford; and Victor Manuel Gomez, 27, of Sanford. All three are illegal immigrants from Mexico. The suspects are being held at the Lee County jail, each on a $500,000.00 bond.

Sheriff Carter stated that this was the largest drug bust his department has made to date but reminded everyone quickly that "they're just getting started."

Sheriff Tracy Carter commended his narcotics officers and added that the upcom­ing illegal immigrant deportation program will be a major tool to combat the growing problem of drug trafficking among ille­gal aliens in the county. I feel when we imple­ment this program, it will send a message that if you are here illegally and plan to commit crimes we are going to start the deporta­tion process and send you back.

Deportation Issues

Thanks to the Sanford Herald on their follow up to a story that was posted earlier in the year titled "ICE ICE Baby". Some of our most recent crimes have involved illegal aliens. The following link is from the Sanford Herald article posted today. Click Here for the article.

Sen. Elizabeth Dole Meets With Sheriff Carter

Sen. Elizabeth Dole met with Lee County Sheriff Tracy Carter, Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison, Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell and others to discuss ways for law enforcement to identify illegal aliens more quickly when suspects are detained on criminal charges. Widespread media coverage was held by several Triangle media outlets. Here are just a few samples of the content to further bring you all up to speed on the topic and progress. Click on these links to see the entire stories and videos; WRAL and NBC17.

Click here for the Sanford Herald coverage on this topic, dated Aug 25, 2007.

If you recall, this was a program that your local Sheriff was attempting to implement here in Lee County in the beginning of the year. Click here for that article. Thanks for your continued support for your local Sheriff.

Another 2.2 lbs of cocaine off the street...

On Tuesday afternoon, Lee County drug agents seized a kilogram of cocaine and two illegal firearms from a residence in the Pine Village Mobile Home Park. The person arrested, Federico Molina-Arellano, 25, was charged with traf­ficking cocaine, maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia. After making entry into the residence, the agents located 2.2 pounds (kilogram) of cocaine, depu­ties a search warrant where they eventu­ally found the illegal firearms. Capt John Holly of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said deputies also seized several thousand dollars in cash.

Sheriff's SWAT team receives additional training

During the hottest week of the year thus far, members of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team (Special Weapons and Tactics) attended additional training at the NC Justice Academy in Salemburg, NC. The course challenged the group with several goals, including carrying over 60 pounds of advanced tactical gear in extreme heat.

The SWAT Team is a specialized unit which is trained to perform dangerous operations, such as serving high-risk arrest warrants, performing hostage rescue and/or armed intervention, and engaging heavily-armed criminals. The SWAT team is equipped with specialized firearms including submachine guns, shotguns, riot control agents, stun grenades, high-powered sniper rifles, night vision optics, advanced entry tools and even night vision optical gear.

The team spent countless hours in triple digit heat along with other SWAT teams from across the State. The Sheriff’s team scored in the ninetieth percentile on the final course exam and was able to take home a revived understanding of how dangerous this job can be and how valuable training is in order to keep our deputies, but more importantly, our citizens safe.

Lee County Man Featured on NC WANTED Website

A local Sanford man is being sought after for us courtesy of WRAL.com and NC Wanted.com. Willard Eugene Smith is wanted for a murder that happened in June of 1995 near the Lee County/Chatham County line.  A reward is being offered for his capture. If you have any information, contact the Lee County Sheriff's Office at 718-4561 or call 9-1-1.

Deputy's Quick Response May Have Saved Three Lives

A Lee County deputy may have saved three men’s lives Sunday night when he heard shots being fired on Pinehaven Drive and went to check it out. The incident happened about 9:44 p.m. on the 2700 block of Pinehaven Drive at Sanchez’s home, said Capt. Jeff Johnson of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Sanchez, Dominguez and another man were in the front yard, Johnson said, when two men walked into the yard and demanded money. One is believed to have been armed with a pistol, and the other with an assault rifle, Johnson said. They forced the three men to the ground and shot Sanchez and Dominguez, Johnson said. He said the suspects did not appear to be acquainted with the victims. “They did everything (the men) told them to. I guess they were showing them they meant business,” Johnson said. The men then went inside Sanchez’s house, where his family — including children and an infant — were, Johnson said. That was when Deputy Chuck Thomas arrived. The third man on the ground yelled for help and the suspects fled. “(Thomas) was in that area. Actually, he was looking for some loud music and heard gunshots and responded,” Johnson said. He credits Thomas’ arrival with preventing any other injuries. Dominguez had a gunshot wound to the hip and was taken to Central Carolina Hospital, Johnson said. His condition was not available. Sanchez, who was shot in the back, was taken by helicopter to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. A hospital spokeswoman said they had no record of Sanchez there. “We do have some leads we’re working on,” Johnson said.

UPDATE - Sept 27th, 2007

(courtesy of The Sanford Herald)

A Battleboro man has been arrested for his alleged part in a shooting that left one man paralyzed, Lee County sheriff’s deputies. Derrick Jermaine Pittman, 24, was apprehended Tuesday by U.S. marshals in Rocky Mount. Pittman was one of three suspects in an Aug. 12 robbery that led to two people being shot. The robbery happened when Filimon Sanchez of Lee County was at his home with Diego Dominguez when three men approached, demanded money and ended up shooting both Sanchez and Dominguez. A Lee County sheriff’s deputy responded to the shots and the suspects fled on foot — leaving their vehicle at the scene. Dominguez was treated for minor injuries after the shooting, but Sanchez’s injuries have left him paralyzed. Johnson said deputies are still seeking the other two suspects. Pittman was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder. He was placed in Lee County Jail under $1,000,000 secured bond.

Sheriff's Drug Agents Seize Kilogram of Cocaine & Meth

Lee County sheriff’s deputies have revealed the names of two people arrested in a Wednesday night drug sting that netted a kilogram each of cocaine and what authorities believe is crystal methamphetamine. Sheriff Tracy Carter said Thursday that both Maria Cardenas, 36, of 3396 Poplar Springs Church Road and Panfilo Alvarado Sanchez, 22, of 3449 Poplar Springs Church Road are both in the United States illegally. Deputies raided both homes Wednesday evening and seized the drugs , as well as three assault rifles, two handguns, and $1,500 in counterfeit cash. Cardenas was charged with trafficking cocaine and maintaining a dwelling for drugs and placed in the Lee County Jail under $110,000 secured bond. Sanchez was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine and maintaining a dwelling for drugs and placed in the Lee County Jail under $135,000 secured bond. Carter also said deputies are in the process of contacting the U.S. Secret Service regarding charges over the alleged counterfeit cash found in Sanchez’s home. According to Carter, the State Bureau of Investigation has been asked to identify the substance deputies believe is crystal methamphetamine. “If it is in fact crystal methamphetamine, then this will be one of the biggest methamphetamine busts in Lee County history,” the sheriff said.

County Drug Agents Raid Nets Cocaine

Lee County Narcotics Agents executed a search warrant at 1464 Black Road, Sanford on 8-3-2007. As a result of the search, Jimmy Jackson, 50, of the residence was charged with Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine, Maintaining a Vehicle to keep/store drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia after 7.3 grams of crack cocaine valued at $2920.00 was found in his vehicle while parked at the home. He was placed in the Lee County Jail under $8000.00 secured bond.

Lee County Narcotics Agents executed a search warrant at 1706 Campbell Street in Sanford on 8-3-2007. As a result of the search, Carl Blackwell, 50, of 505 Charlotte Ave, Sanford, was arrested and charged with Possession with intent to sell/deliver Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Resist, Obstruct, Delay a public officer. He was placed in the Lee County Jail under $5000.00 secured bond.

The physical affects of meth use....

Any Questions?

(sample image)

Come Join Us For National Night Out 2009

Sheriff Tracy Carter cordially invites each Lee county citizen out tonight from 6 pm to 8 pm to join in the celebration shared by thousands of communities nationwide for the 26th annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event. This event is to promote a community partnership between the community and their local law enforcement agency.

There will be refreshments and prizes provided at each location. Lee County Sheriff’s Office will partnership with the following communities and will be onsite for any questions you may have. Please make plans to come meet and greet people in your own community and meet the law enforcement officers sworn to serve and protect.

Carbonton Community Center
Center United Methodist Church
Beaver Creek Church
Tempting Church Community Center
Town of Broadway Community Center
Brookhaven Community
Sanford Garden Khalif Court
Carolina Trace Fire Dept.
Lemon Springs Rutian Club
Hill View Church Lemon Springs Road
Ebenezer Church south Plank Road
Northwest Pocket Fire Dept.
James Ammons on Farrell Rd.


(The Clearwater Forest Community will held it’s event on Tuesday August 11, 2009)

If you would be interested in being involved or volunteering your time tonight, please contact Lt David Prevatte at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 919-718-4563, Ext # 5627 or via email at DPrevatte@leecountync.gov