Man Charged with Kidnapping and Sexual Offense

Aaron Monroe Moore (65) W/M of 116 Orchard Rd. Sanford was arrested and charged w/ 1st degree kidnapping, 1st degree sex offense of a child, taking indecent liberties w/ a child and crimes against nature. This incident is alleged to have occurred between July 4, 2009 and June 22, 2010 at Moore’s residence at 116 Orchard Rd. Sanford. The victim is a 5 yr old girl and is acquainted to Moore through a family friend. Moore is being held under $100,000 secured bond.

This investigation began on June 23, 2010 when it was reported by the victim’s mother. The case was jointly investigated by The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Lee County DSS Child Protective Services.

Sheriff Carter Joins "The Rant" Radio Talk Show

Sheriff Carter was invited to share his thoughts about the prescription drug issue here in Lee County. (This is an audio file only)

Prescription Pills An "Epidemic" Says Sheriff Carter

Prescription drugs arrests are making up more than half of the departments total arrests this year, according to Sheriff Tracy Carter. “It’s worse than crack cocaine,” Carter said. “It’s just a problem ... and not just here, but everywhere. And we want to do all we can to investigate these folks who get the pills and distribute them illegally, but we need some help.”

Adding to the problem the Sheriff says, is the department’s lack of access to North Carolina’s Controlled Substances Reporting System, a database of patient prescriptions that includes the physicians who approve them. Currently, only practitioners, special agents of State Bureau of Investigations and a handful of other organizations can access the database, and Carter said he and other law enforcement officials want the same access to speed up the arrest process and pinpoint the origin of the drugs.

The Sheriff has teamed up with State Rep. Jimmy Love Sr. (D-Sanford), who said he is interesting in sponsoring or supporting a bill at the next General Assembly that would give sheriffs and sheriff’s deputies access to the database. Carter said he currently has more than 20 prescription drug cases pending because of his department’s lack of access (he said the SBI has only “eight or nine” agents who do have access, and waiting for an agent can take months). Love said the subject came up in the General Assembly in 2009 and was moved to a study commission, where it currently sits.“If the problem is as bad as they say it is, and I certainly think it is, then they need all the tools they can get,” Love said. “If we can get them access, they can get ahead of the game instead of having to wait for the SBI all the time. They’ve got enough on their plate.” More to follow on this topic...

Sheriff's Rising Stars

Youth from the Lee County Boys and Girls Club experienced the harsh realities of prison life last week when they toured the Polk Youth Center.

“You can’t eat when you want, you ain’t got no freedom,” said J’Vante Knight, 17. “Prison isn’t a good place to be; it’s not a place you want to go.” As recently as two years ago, Knight was on the wrong side of the law. Now involved in the Boys and Girls Club, he was one of 17 young adults to participate in The Lee County Sheriff’s Rising Star program. The prison tour was part of the three-day program, which exposes youth 13 and older to the realm of crime and punishment. Rising Star aims to give the teens a new perspective, according to Maj. Carlton Lyles with the Lee County Sheriff’s Department.. “Hopefully, they got a chance to see the positive side of law enforcement,” Lyles said. “We’re human too, and we were teenagers once too.”

Rising Stars is designed to show participants all aspects of the criminal justice system. On the first day, Deputy Shawn Ellerby led a session on teen driving and the consequences of drinking and driving. On day two, Sgt. Matt Rosser demonstrated the equipment he uses to solve crimes. The teens also toured Lee County Jail, saw the sheriff’s K-9 unit at work, met with the local magistrate and visited the Probation Office. District Court Judge Addie Rawls also welcomed the group into her courtroom. “She actually let the kids sit on the bench,” said William Johnson, teen director for the Boys and Girls Club. “’Who wants to be a judge’ was the basis of her discussion.”Johnson said that after explaining the education and experience required to hold her position, “she closed with, ‘How many of you still want to be a judge?’” The trip to Polk Youth Center in Butner is often not what the teens expect, according to Johnson. “It’s not a little fun-packed trip, it’s a real-life field trip,” he said. “I wish we could take more that could see it before they get into trouble.” At the prison, the teens talked to a man incarcerated for murder and another who had been the head of a gang. The inmates offered advice from their hard-earned experience. “They told us to listen to our parents, stay out of trouble and watch the company we keep,” said Jerraysheya Fox, 16. For, Elijah Moore, 15, the prison environment was a deterrent in its own right. “There were like 30 people in one cell,” Moore said. “It’s hot in there, no ac.” Like Knight, Moore had been involved in criminal activity like breaking and entering and had done time in a training school. Since his experience through the Boys and Girls Club, he now aspires to earn his high school diploma and become a professional football player. Fox plans to attend college and major in international business. Through the Rising Star program, she said, she and her peers learned the consequences of making the wrong decisions. “It’s a great learning experience,” Fox said, “and it could save a lot of young people from getting into trouble.”

Courtesy of the Sanford Herald

Teenager Severely Injured During Apparent Drug Deal

A local teen was severely injured early Tuesday morning in an apparent prescription drug deal gone bad.

Brandon Taylor Stone, 17, exited from a moving car on Main Street in Broadway shortly after midnight on Tuesday. He was taken to Central Carolina Hospital and then flown to Chapel Hill for treatment of head injuries he suffered in the fall.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Stone was listed in critical but stable condition, according to Broadway Police Chief Todd Hinnant. Hinnant said it is unclear whether Stone was thrown from the vehicle by the three other passengers or jumped out on his own. Police allege that Stone was picked up at the Kangaroo gas station on Main Street in Broadway by three teens who wished to buy the prescription drug Percocet from him. The car turned onto Milton Avenue, then turned left on Smith Drive, then on to Johnson Street, Hinnant said.The group continued to the intersection with Main Street, and when the car attempted to turn Stone was ejected. Hinnant said Stone allegedly had over-the-counter drugs rather than Percocet.The three other passengers of the vehicle — Colton Cockman, 18; Justin Harrington, 18; and Jessica Godfrey, 17 — were all charged with assault inflicting serious bodily injury, common law robbery, felony conspiracy to commit common law robbery and possession with intent to sell or delivery a controlled substance. All three appeared in court on Wednesday and were placed in the Lee County Jail under a $40,000 bond.Hinnant said the investigation was ongoing, and Stone may face charges as well in the future. He added that the Lee County Sheriff’s Department is assisting heavily in the investigation.

Drugs Units Busy Doing What They Do Best!

Fredrick Lewis Mckendall, 49, of 1336 Sumer Place, Sanford, was arrested on 8-17-2010 for possession with intent to sell Cocaine, maintaining a vehicle to store drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia after a car stop by county drug agents on Dixie Farm road near Broadway yielded approximately 14.9 grams of Cocaine. Mckendall was placed in the Lee County Jail under $10,000.00 secured bond.

Gerald Lyn Sydnor, 22, of 1575 Woods Road, Winston Salem, and Kevin Christopher Mullen, 20, of 104 Hill Ave, Sanford, were both arrested on 8-17-2010 for possession with intent to sell a Schedule II controlled substance (Percocet), possession with intent to sell Marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after a car stop by county drug agents on US 15-501 in the Northview community yielded 67 grams of Marijuana and several dosage units of Percocet. Both subjects were placed in the Lee County Jail under $7000.00 secured bond.

Tammy Renee Kelly, 39, of 7681 Sheriff Watson Road, Sanford, was arrested on 8-17-2010 for possession of Cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia after a car stop on Lemon Springs road by county drug agents yielded approximately 1 gram of Cocaine. Kelly was placed in the Lee County Jail under $3000.00 secured bond.

Anthony Tine Heath, 43, 2507 Pilson Road, Sanford, was arrested on 8-17-2010 for manufacturing Marijuana after county agents seized two Marijuana Plants growing behind the defendant’s home. Heath was released under $5000.00 bond.

SHERIFF OFFERS SAFETY TIPS FOR BACK TO SCHOOL

Sheriff Tracy Carter of Lee County offers some safety tips for those youngsters who will be walking back and forth to school this year.

“Parents can teach their children the following safety tips which will inform the youngsters of the danger signs to watch for and avoid when walking between school and home,” Sheriff Carter said.

“Drivers should be cautious of children walking back and forth to school,” added the Sheriff. “We can all learn from the safety tips below and abide by them to make Lee County safer for all.”

· While walking, remember to always travel with a friend. Two heads are better than one, especially if there’s an emergency.

· A stranger is anyone you or your parents don’t know well.

· You or your friend must never take candy, money, medicine or anything else from a stranger.

· If a stranger in a car asks you questions, don’t get close to the car (you could get pulled in) – and never get in the car.

· Strangers can be very tricky – they can ask you to walk with them to “show” them something; they can offer to pay for your video game, or ask you to help them find a lost dog or cat. Don’t be fooled!

· Don’t tell anyone your name or address when you’re walking and don’t think that because someone knows your name that they know you – they may just be looking at your name printed on your lunch box, school bag or T-shirt.

· If you think you’re in any danger, yell, and run to the nearest store or “safe house” or back to school.

· Always tell your parents or teacher if a stranger has approached you.

“By taking the time to carefully prepare your child on how to handle these situations, you can insure your child’s safety whether they are on their way to school or home, playing on a playground or riding their bikes,” Sheriff Carter concludes.

Charlotte drug probe leads to multi-county manhunt

A drug investigation by Federal and Charlotte law enforcement expanded into a manhunt for six suspects in Alamance, Lee and Chatham counties Thursday.

See the full story on WRAL.

Be Aware Of Scams!

Area law enforcement agencies are looking for individuals posing as a contractor for a utility company. These people are diverting homeowners attention and an accomplice are entering the home and removing valuables.

To help prevent this sort of crime, Sheriff Carter reminds homeowners to:

 Always request identification from any persons claiming to represent utility companies. In addition to identification, Progress Energy customers can call (919) 508-5400 to verify any persons claiming affiliation with their company.

 Inform elderly family and friends. These type crimes often, but not always, victimize elderly homeowners.

 Make sure valuables are not visible from the street.

 Work together with your neighbors on watching out for one another.

 Call local law enforcement on any suspicious activity

SHERIFF OFFERS CHILDREN BACK-TO-SCHOOL BIKING TIPS

“As school resumes, children will again be riding their bicycles to and from school,” Sheriff Tracy Carter of Lee County predicts.

“All too often, children – like adults – become creatures of habit and overlook simple safety precautions. I would like to ask all school children who ride their bicycles to remember a few safety rules:

Only one person belongs on your bike. Never let a second person ride with you.

Allow plenty of room for a safe stop. Never follow bikes or cars too closely.

Keep both hands on the handle bars for safe steering.

Always give proper signals. Keep a firm grip on the handle bars with your right hand and use your left arm and hand to signal turns and stops. Arm straight out is a left turn; arm bent up at the elbow is a right turn; and arm bent down at the elbow is a stop.

Avoid riding your bike at night. If you must ride at night, equip your bike with a good headlight and rear reflectors. Wear light-colored or reflective clothing so others can see you easily.

Make sure you obey all traffic signs and signals. Stop completely at stop signs and always look both ways before starting out again.”

The sheriff explains that it’s easy for children to get into a routine in traveling back and forth to school. However, he stresses that children should remind themselves – and be reminded by parents – that practicing safety every day can save them from serious injury.

“Remember that a bicyclist is like a motorist,” Sheriff Carter concludes. “You must be skilled like an automobile driver in handling the vehicle and should always be cautious when traveling the roads.”

Now Is The Time For a CPR Refresher!

Every three days, more Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest than the number who died in the 9-11 attacks. You can lessen this recurring loss by learning Continuous Chest Compression CPR, a hands-only CPR method that doubles a person’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest. It’s easy and does not require mouth-to-mouth contact, making it more likely bystanders will try to help.

To learn more about CPR or to take a class locally, contact Central Carolina Hospital at 774-2100 or American Red Cross.

Click here to watch a informative video.

Drug Units Make Arrest After Drug Raid

Marcus Antwan Wilson, 34, of 916 Peach Orchard Road, Sanford, was arrested on 8-5-2010 after members of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division and the Sanford Police Departments Tactical Narcotics Team executed a search warrant at 915 Oddfellow Street in Sanford and discovered him in possession of 18 dosage units of Crack Cocaine. Wilson was charged with possession with intent to sell Cocaine and maintaining a dwelling to store drugs and was placed in the Lee County Jail under $7,500.00 secured bond.

Scams - Be Attentive!

Recently, a Knightdale man had placed an ad on Craigslist.com in an attempt to sell his large screen TV. The seller had several phone calls from potential buyers, however these individuals had another motive. After extracting his work hours and times he would be available at his residence, the would be buyers acted as burglars. The seller's house was broken into and many items were taken. (see the story here)

Let this be a reminder to us all that innocent people can always be taken advantage of at any given moment. Here are some tips that can help you protect yourself when dealing with situations as mentioned above.

Here are some common scams and red flags that are seen daily. Just remember, if the deal seems "too good to be true", it probably is!

Avoiding Internet Auction Fraud
Understand as much as possible about how the auction works, what your obligations are as a buyer, and what the seller's obligations are before you bid.
Find out what actions the web site/company takes if a problem occurs and consider insuring the transaction and shipment.
Learn as much as possible about the seller, especially if the only information you have is an e-mail address. If it is a business, check the Better Business Bureau where the seller/business is located.
Examine the feedback on the seller.
Determine what method of payment the seller is asking from the buyer and where he/she is asking to send payment.
If a problem occurs with the auction transaction, it could be much more difficult if the seller is located outside the US because of the difference in laws.
Ask the seller about when delivery can be expected and if there is a problem with the merchandise is it covered by a warranty or can you exchange it.
Find out if shipping and delivery are included in the auction price or are additional costs so there are no unexpected costs.
There should be no reason to give out your social security number or drivers license number to the seller.

Avoiding Non-Delivery of Merchandise
Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source.
Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that they are legitimate.
Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office box and a phone number, call the seller to see if the number is correct and working.
Send them e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address and be wary of sellers who use free e-mail services where a credit card wasn’t required to open the account.
Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with this type of information.
Check with the Better Business Bureau from the seller’s area.
Check out other web sites regarding this person/company.
Don’t judge a person/company by their web site.
Be cautious when responding to special offers (especially through unsolicited e-mail).
Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.
Inquire about returns and warranties.
The safest way to purchase items via the Internet is by credit card because you can often dispute the charges if something is wrong.
Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically send your credit card numbers.
Consider utilizing an escrow or alternate payment service.

Avoiding Credit Card Fraud
Don't give out your credit card number(s) online unless the site is a secure and reputable site. Sometimes a tiny icon of a padlock appears to symbolize a higher level of security to transmit data. This icon is not a guarantee of a secure site, but might provide you some assurance.
Don't trust a site just because it claims to be secure.
Before using the site, check out the security/encryption software it uses.
Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source.
Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that they are legitimate.
Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office box and a phone number, call the seller to see if the number is correct and working.
Send them e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address and be wary of sellers who use free e-mail services where a credit card wasn’t required to open the account.
Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with this type of information.
Check with the Better Business Bureau from the seller’s area.
Check out other web sites regarding this person/company.
Don’t judge a person/company by their web site.
Be cautious when responding to special offers (especially through unsolicited e-mail).
Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.
The safest way to purchase items via the Internet is by credit card because you can often dispute the charges if something is wrong.
Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically send your credit card numbers.
You should also keep a list of all your credit cards and account information along with the card issuer’s contact information. If anything looks suspicious or you lose your credit card(s) you should contact the card issuer immediately.

Avoiding Investment Fraud
Don't invest in anything based on appearances. Just because an individual or company has a flashy web site doesn't mean it is legitimate. Web sites can be created in just a few days. After a short period of taking money, a site can vanish without a trace.
Don’t invest in anything you are not absolutely sure about. Do your homework on the investment to ensure that it is legitimate.
Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that they are legitimate.
Check out other web sites regarding this person/company.
Don’t judge a person/company by their web site.
Be cautious when responding to special investment offers (especially through unsolicited e-mail).


Avoiding Business Fraud
Purchase merchandise from reputable dealers or establishments.
Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office box and a phone number, call the seller to see if the number is correct and working.
Send them e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address and be wary of those that utilize free e-mail services where a credit card wasn't required to open the account.
Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with this type of information.
Purchase merchandise directly from the individual/company that holds the trademark, copyright, or patent.
Beware when responding to e-mail that may not have been sent by a reputable company.

Avoiding the Nigerian Letter Scam
Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as Nigerian or foreign government officials asking for your help in placing large sums of money in overseas bank accounts.
Do not believe the promise of large sums of money for your cooperation.
Guard your account information carefully.The Nigerian Letter Scam is described on the Common Fraud Schemes webpage.

Lee County Drug Defendant Sentenced to 24 Years in Federal Prison

On 7-16-2009, members of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division arrested Daniel Aguirre Carranza of 136 S&M Lane, Sanford, for trafficking Cocaine by Possession, trafficking Cocaine by transportation and maintaining a vehicle to store drugs after an undercover operation. After his arrest, Lee County agents were able to link Carranza to an existing drug investigation out of Warren and Vance Counties. Lee County agents began working with agents of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the US Drug Enforcement Administration and on January 7th 2010, Carranza was indicted by the Eastern District of North Carolina on federal charges of Conspiracy to distribute more than 5 kilograms of Cocaine (count 1) and Conspiracy to distribute more than 100 kilograms of Marijuana (count 2). Carranza pled not guilty and in June of 2010 was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers in Raleigh. On August 2, 2010, Carranza was sentenced to 292 months on count 1 and 240 months on count 2. The sentences will run concurrent. After serving his sentence, Carranza, an illegal alien, will be deported from the United States to Mexico.

Sharp Increase in Criminal Aliens Deportations

Since 27 October 2008 through the end of May 2010, almost 2.6 million people have been screened with Secure Communities; of those, almost 35,000 were identified as illegal immigrants previously arrested or convicted for the most serious crimes, including murder and rape; more than 205,000 who were identified as illegal immigrants had arrest records for less serious crimes; during an eight-month period between 1 October 2009 to 7 June 2010, ICE figures show that 113,453 foreigners with criminal records had been deported...(READ MORE)

The Lee County Sheriff's Office uses this same program in their jail to screen individuals arrested and who are brought to the jail.