Detective Bobby Martin of the Roanoke Rapids Department said Lemont Hopson surrendered after someone informed him his photo was posted to rrspin.com earlier today and then saw the account himself.

He was given a $500 bond and November 12 court date.

Two more people are still wanted in the case.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts is encouraged to call the police department at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Police Chief Andy Jackson said Thomas Jefferson Brown died from injuries he received after he was struck on Roanoke Avenue at the Eighth Street intersection around 7:15 p.m.

Jackson said the case remains under investigation.

The crimes occurred over the course of four months, Detective Frankie Griffin of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department said.

Sandra Alston, 37, was arrested on October 10, following an investigation that led to charges of larceny, possession of stolen goods, obtaining property by false pretense and defrauding the elderly or disabled.

Alston did not represent an agency, Griffin said, but was hired by the victim to assist the family during a difficult health issue.

During the course of her employment Alston reportedly took jewelry, cash, checks, clothing items including a fur coat and a sterling silver set.

Griffin said it is better to go through an agency than hiring someone privately.

Alston was jailed on $16,000 bond and has a November 12 court date.

• On Sunday around 1 p.m., deputies responded to a residence on Vincent Lane in Henrico for a breaking and entering.

The victim called the Northampton County Communications Center and reported that while in the shower there was some loud noise coming from the kitchen area of the residence.

The victim went to investigate what was going on and found Takisha Fields Watson, 27, of Henrico was reportedly inside.

The victim asked Watson to leave numerous times but she refused and was pushed outside.

Watson then reportedly assaulted and threatened the victim.

The victim locked the doors to prevent Watson from coming back into the residence.

While Deputy Patrick Jacobs was on the way to the residence Watson allegedly went inside the victim’s garage and got some hand tools and tried to pry the door open.

Once Jacobs arrived at the residence he found Watson sitting on the back porch.

Jacobs arrested Watson and charged her with two counts of breaking and entering, attempted breaking and entering, and assault.

Watson was given an $8,000 bond.

• On Monday around 12:30 a.m., Deputy Chris Hamm responded to Lowes Court in Garysburg for an assault call.

Hamm spoke with Laura Newsome, 26, of Garysburg and Marcel Epps, 31, of Halifax about the matter. Hamm noticed that both parties had injuries from the assault and arrested the pair.

Hamm charged Epps with assault on a female and communicating threats. He was given a $1,000 bond and a court date of November 17

Hamm charged Newsome with assault. She was given a $500 bond and a November 17 court date.

• On Monday around 5 p.m., Sergeant Jonathan Jenkins responded to Lincoln Park in Rich Square for an assault call.

Once Jenkins arrived at the residence he spoke with the victim who told him there was an argument between her and Tyshawn Lamar Williams, 23, of Rich Square.

During the argument Williams allegedly threw the victim to the ground and kicked her.

Jenkins arrested and charged Williams with assault on a female and was given a $1,000 bond and a November 3.

Northampton County EMS responded to treat the victim for her injuries, but she refused treatment.

Detective Willie Murphy Jr. of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office charged Eddie Cosom Jr., 59, with second-degree rape, second-degree sexual offense and first-degree kidnapping.

Cosom was arrested early this morning and jailed on $100,000 bond. He was given a November 12 court date.

Deputies Shatel Coates and Corey Griffin detained Cosom at the scene.

Murphy declined to disclose the relationship between the victim and Cosom. He did confirm the kidnapping count reflects that Cosom allegedly moved the victim from one location to another to commit the crime. Second-degree rape is forcible rape without the use of a weapon.

Investigation continues and further charges may be pending, Murphy said in a statement.

Detective Bobby Martin said Damion Clanton surrendered Tuesday around 5:30 p.m. and was arrested by Officer J. Benthall.

Clanton was charged with two counts of obtaining property by false pretense, larceny and possessing stolen property.

He was given a November 12 court date and $1,500 bond.

Lemont Hopson surrendered Monday. Keith Arrington is still wanted in the case.

The victim, who did not receive life-threatening injuries, was doing maintenance work with a co-worker when the robbery attempt occurred at the Village Grocery on Tenth Street in the Oakland Shopping Center.

Chief Andy Jackson said further details are expected to be released Thursday.

The charges filed by the Halifax County Sheriff's Office against Rodney Joyner, 18, stem from an investigation into a burglary that occurred four days before Cotton's murder, Detective Obert Wiltsie said today.

In that burglary the victim confronted Joyner, who allegedly used a chair as a weapon to beat the victim in the face and back.

Wiltsie declined to comment on motive in the September 20 case, only to say it was burglary. The victim was treated and released from injuries sustained in the assault, which occurred around 3 a.m. in the Highway 158 area of Roanoke Rapids.

Joyner, who remains in jail in Halifax, was served warrants last week for burglary, trespass and assault with a deadly weapon, Wiltsie said in a statement. He received a $20,000 bond for those charges.

Joyner was the first person to be arrested in the Cotton murder and faces charges of one count of first-degree murder, one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon, one count of attempted first-degree murder, one count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, one count of conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of felony conspiracy and one count of going armed to the terror of the public.

Roanoke Rapids investigators have declined comment on whether the charge of going armed to the terror of the public means Joyner was one of the alleged triggermen in the murder of Cotton and the shooting of Richard Squire Jr. that afternoon. Squire is recovering from the injuries he sustained in the shooting.

Meanwhile, Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Andy Jackson said investigators are still looking for the seventh person in the case, who faces the same charges as Joyner.

Turning 102 on Wednesday, however, his voice remains steady, his memory remains clear.

Turning 100, let alone 102, is something he never gave much thought to. “Time just flew along.”

Born in 1912 in in the Cutawhiskie Swamp area of Northampton County, the family farmed until the Great Depression.

Brown, center, with Manning, left, and Hux.

With a promise of jobs in the textile mills of Roanoke Rapids, the family sold their possessions and moved to Halifax County.

Brown, who at the time was 50 percent color blind, ran the dye department of the Simmons Mill. “They didn't have the colors they did later,” he said at Signature HealthCARE in Roanoke Rapids where he is a resident.

The promise of future promotions at the mill didn't pan out and he found another job in Virginia that forced him to stay away from home during the weekday and come home on weekends.

Frank Rightmyer, however, needed a carpenter and put Brown to work.

That job would eventually lead him to a job with Rufus Hux for almost 30 years.

Congratulations from the governor.

“I built several churches,” he said. “Anybody that wanted something worked on I would help them. I built my own house.”

Brown is a World War II veteran, drafted in either 1942 or 1943 into the Army. “I was drafted but didn't back up when they called me. They sent me to the Hawaiian Islands.”

He became a member of the signal corps setting up communications on Iwo Jima, Saipan, Eniwetok and other battlegrounds in the Pacific Theater. “I didn't get to raise the flag,” he said of the iconic Iwo Jima photo. “I can imagine them climbing that hill to do it.”

Brown's son, Graham, who is better known as Sammy, visited his father for his birthday.

Sammy, who is 78, and lives in the Triangle, says longevity runs in the family. “Dad was able to go squirrel hunting well into his 90s. He's always been straight forward, honest and hard-working. He's never been afraid to work.”

Shirley Tidwell, activities director for Signature, said Howard is the oldest resident of the facility. “He always has a kind word. When we tell him we love him he says that he loves us, too, and you know it.”

Howard said he's never given much thought to the secret of a long life. “I think it's working hard.”

Halifax County Commissioners Rives Manning and Rachel Hux presented Howard a proclamation honoring him on behalf of the county.

“It means a lot,” Manning said of Howard. “He has experience he can impart to us. We don't have to make the same mistakes if we pay attention.”

“We have made a positive identification and warrants have been obtained as of today,” Detective Jeff Davis said.

Davis declined to immediately discuss the person's name or speculate on the person's whereabouts.

News of the identification comes after Davis and Detective Bobby Martin have invested some 300 man hours in the case. “The majority of that was in the initial stages of the investigation,” Davis said.

Most of the investigation in the case been within the city limits of Roanoke Rapids, Davis said, although the police department has worked with several out of state agencies and the federal government in the matter.

The seventh suspect will face the same charges as 18-year-old Rodney Joyner, the first person to be arrested in the September 24 murder of Cotton and shooting of Squire that occurred on a rainy afternoon on Gordon Drive.

The pair face charges of attempted first-degree murder, one count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, one count of conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of felony conspiracy and one count of going armed to the terror of the public.

Both Davis and Martin this evening declined comment on whether the fact the two men both were charged with going armed to the terror of the people meant they were the alleged the triggermen.

Martin said he was pleased the investigation has progressed to this point. “I'm glad the investigation is coming to an end so it can give the families some closure. It's hard for the loved ones.”

In Roanoke Rapids trick-or-treating is set for 6 to 8.

T.J. Davis Recreation will be open from 6 to 8:30 for the annual Haunted House and Halloween Carnival sponsored by the Optimist Club. The carnival is free. Cost of the haunted house is $2.

In Weldon trick-or-treating will be from 5 to 7 and there will trunk-or-treat events coinciding at First Baptist Church and Valley Community Church.

In Enfield there will be a trunk-or-treat from 6 to 8 at Enfield Community Park on South McDaniel Street.

Trick-or-treating in Littleton is set from 5:30 to 7:30.

In Halifax trick-or-treating is scheduled from 6 to 8.

In Hobgood trick-or-treating is scheduled from 6 to 8.

In Scotland Neck trick-or-treating is scheduled from 6 to 8.

There is no specific time set for trick-or-treating in unincorporated areas of the county.

Meanwhile, the state Highway Patrol, Department of Transportation and the Governor's Highway Safety Program plan the 2014 Halloween Booze It and Lose It campaign, which runs through Sunday.

“Nothing is scarier on Halloween than a drunk driver,” said GHSP Director Don Nail. “Those who decide to drive after drinking should know that they can’t hide behind a mask. Law enforcement officers are stepping up their patrols across the state and will catch anyone who doesn’t drive sober.”

NCDOT and GHSP recommend following these simple tips for a safe Halloween:

• Before the Halloween festivities begin, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night.

• Always designate a sober driver; even one drink is too many to get behind the wheel.

• If you are drunk, take a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.

• Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to walk you home.

• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.

• If you know someone who is about to drive or ride impaired, take their keys and help them make safe travel arrangements to where they are going.

So far this year, there have been approximately 230 alcohol-related crashes, resulting in 242 fatalities in North Carolina.  

The breaking and entering, in which three tools with a total value of between $2,000 to $2,500 were stolen, was reported Thursday morning.

Police Chief Andy Jackson said a backpack blower and concrete saw were stolen. Public Works Director Larry Chalker said a blower on wheels was also stolen.

Jackson said access to the building was gained through forcible entry. Investigators are following up on leads.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police department at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Detective Obert Wiltsie said Erik Shane Lassiter, 26, has been charged with three counts of breaking and entering, three counts of larceny, three counts of possession of stolen goods, two counts of larceny of a firearm, two counts of larceny of a firearm by convicted felon, 15 counts of forgery of an instrument, 15 counts of uttering a forged instrument, 15 counts of obtaining property by false pretense and one count of inmate in possession of tobacco.

For these charges Lassiter was given a $50,000 bond and November 19 court date.

He was already in jail on a $20,000 bond for the previous October counts.

Wiltsie said Lassiter was allegedly tied to the most recent charges following an investigation into three different breaking and entering reports from the Driftwood Lane area.

These cases involved the theft of checks, which were stolen and used to buy a couple of hundred dollars worth of items.

Checks in the previous case had been stolen in June or July in the Roanoke Rapids area, Wiltsie said.

Lieutenant Harold Phillips of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office said four Lorazepam pills and 26.4 grams of marijuana were confiscated. Items of paraphernalia including plastic bags and scales were also seized in the 10 a.m. raid of the room Jennifer Lee Franks reportedly stayed in and sold drugs from.

Agent D.R. Radford applied for the search warrant based on citizen complaints and officer information. Franks was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a place for controlled substances and simple possession of schedule III.

She was jailed on $20,000 bond and given a December 3 court date.

In the same month, Halifax County Animal Cruelty Investigator Robert J. Richardson received a complaint on Straight Road where a dog tied to a satellite pole had died from starvation as her two puppies were kept in a 3-by-3 kennel in plain view.

Chase had spent his life chained outside, the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said in a statement released this week.

The statement not only details the plight of Chase, but calls for the county to consider enacting a ban on tethering.

PETA fieldworkers met Chase as early as January of 2012, said Emily Allen of the organization's animal cruelty division. “He was chained his entire life,” she said today. “He was at the mercy of his owner.”

Chase as a puppy.

Because PETA's animal cruelty division has no law enforcement powers, fieldworkers could only visit the dog. “Chaining is not illegal in the county of Halifax. We had made visits, visited Chase more than a dozen times, helping with neutering, vaccines and medicine,” Allen said.

Since tethering in the county is not illegal, it took time to build a case.

Working with Halifax County Animal Control to build a case, Chase was seized in late August, so weak and emaciated that he couldn't stand or walk, PETA said, and his condition so dire that animal control officers had to euthanize him.

The day after Chase was euthanized, PETA said, a second dog on the property, a puppy named Rex, was voluntarily relinquished to PETA's fieldworkers.

A post-mortem examination of Chase's body revealed that he weighed 15 pounds — half of his normal weight.

The veterinarian who examined Chase concluded that the condition of his body— essentially a skeleton draped in skin — was likely the result of months-long starvation.

Richardson charged Chase's owner, Charlene Marie Parker of Roanoke Rapids, with one count of cruelty to animals. Her arraignment is scheduled for December 16.

“We seized him on the first complaint we received on him,” Richardson said. “PETA was beneficial in helping us in this case. They had been trying to assist her.”

In the same month, Richardson charged Amy Williams, of Straight Road in Roanoke Rapids with two counts of animal cruelty.

In that case Williams reportedly had the dog tied to the pole and the puppies in a small crate with no food or water. The puppies have been rehabilitated and sent out for rescue, Richardson said. The case is still pending in court.

Allen said cases like Chase and the one Richardson investigated independent of PETA demonstrate the need for the county to consider banning tethering. “What makes me mad is if you can't afford to feed or care for them, there are resources to call. There's no excuse to let animals waste to death.”

PETA worked with Roanoke Rapids, Weldon and Enfield to enact tethering bans. “We're hoping this type of abuse and neglect doesn't continue to happen in Halifax County,” Allen said.

There are plans in the works to formally speak with county commissioners on the matter.

"Thousands of dogs in Halifax County starve, freeze, and suffer because they've been chained and forgotten like an old bicycle in the backyard," said PETA Director Martin Mersereau. "PETA's motto reads, in part, that animals are not ours to abuse in any way, and we urge Halifax County to prevent other dogs from enduring what Chase went through by following the leads of Roanoke Rapids, Weldon, and Enfield and banning the continuous chaining of dogs."

Said Mersereau in the statement, “Dogs who are chained outdoors spend their entire lives eating, sleeping, and eliminating in the same few square feet of space. Chaining dogs deprives these highly social pack animals of the social interaction that they need, which can make them aggressive—and nearly three times as likely to attack. A growing number of cities and counties have banned or restricted the continuous tethering of dogs.”

Why are you running?

I am seeking the office of sheriff because I am passionate about serving people.

I have been providing service to the public my entire adult life.

I honorably served my country during the Desert Storm War at the age of 19.

I will bring progressive and innovative ideas to help reduce crime and enhance the quality of life for all people.

Although I am the youngest of the three candidates, I have the most experience as a department head, serving as chief of police for the past eight years.

I have extensive training in both professional and executive leadership.

• UNC School of Government Municipal and County Government

• Chief Executive leadership program NC State

• Chief of Police leadership course NC Justice Academy

• Federal law Enforcement Intelligence Led Training

• Southeast Halifax High School graduate

• B.S. Criminal Justice degree Western Carolina University

• Master of Public Administration UNC Pembroke

• Criminal Justice Instructor

• Ordained Minister

• College Professor at North Carolina Wesleyan College

I have 23 years of law enforcement experience. I have worked as a deputy sheriff, narcotics agent, sergeant and lieutenant in Investigations and chief of police.

I will be fair to all, accountable to all, community oriented, trusty worthy, and will provide professional service to all. Know the F.A.C.T.S. I will be one Sheriff for all people.

What is the biggest issue facing law enforcement in Halifax County?

One of the biggest issues facing most law enforcement agencies is funding.

This directly effects the ability to hire and retain qualified staff, purchase needed equipment, and daily operations.

I will review the current budget line items and make any necessary adjustments. I will explore other resources to help offset operational cost.

I will be aggressive in securing grants, and drug forfeiture monies to help with purchasing departmental equipment and funding positions and training.

I will continue to look at ways to maximize the use of taxpayer’s monies for service and protection.

How do you go about lowering the crime rate in the county with limited manpower and equipment?

I will implement the philosophy of community policing to help lower the crime rate in the county.

The Sheriff’s office will form community partnerships and problem solving techniques, to proactively address the immediate needs of public safety. As Sheriff, I will be accessible and visible in all communities.

I will form neighborhood watch groups, community focus groups, work with business and civic organizations, the faith-based communities, schools and the public on strategies that will help reduce crimes, social disorders and the fear of crimes.

The state has specifically outlawed Internet sweepstakes cafe, yet they continue to operate in Halifax County. Why are they continuing to operate? Do you feel they should be allowed to operate? Will you enforce the state law?

A state law put most internet sweepstake businesses out of business when The Attorney General gave the OK to district attorneys to enforce the new law. If you remember, in 2006 lawmakers passed a ban on video poker and all other electronic gambling equipment.

Soon thereafter, the gambling industry responded, coming up with new software known as pre-reveal system, by where the click of a mouse will reveal if you have won before playing.

The reason a lot of the locations are still in operation is just for that reason, the new software, which makes the operation legal.

Across North Carolina as a whole some district attorneys and sheriffs’ are enforcing the law, and some after further inspection are giving the owner the OK to operate under the new pre-reveal computer software.

Speaking as if I were in the position of sheriff, it wouldn’t be my job to say whether or not I believe they should or shouldn’t be allowed to operate. I must enforce the laws of the Constitution and the laws that govern this great state of North Carolina. In December of 2012, the Supreme Court upheld the ban, and I must follow the law.

Finally, prosecution ultimately falls on the district attorney office. Therefore enforcement and prosecution would be a collaborative effort between law enforcement and the district attorney.

In Halifax County, cooperation among other local law enforcement agencies has been paramount in solving numerous crimes. Why does this work and will you take more advantage or less advantage of this in your tenure as sheriff?

Cooperative law enforcement in Halifax Count is very important. It will help with expanding resources, providing efficient services, and saving taxpayer money.

As sheriff I will join forces with local police departments and other law enforcement agencies in the county in attempting to provide a cooperative approach to public safety. I will meet with municipal chiefs on a regular basis to share information and help develop problem-solving strategies.

I will include municipal officers as part of a countywide violent crime task force.

I will share mutual aid agreements with each municipal agency within the county.

Cooperative law enforcement is a proven and vital tool for success and I will strongly advocate for it.

Do you anticipate continuing to use federal adoption of local cases and do you believe your relationship with the feds is strong enough to continue these efforts?

It is important to use the resource of federal adoption because of the abilities to investigate beyond street level dealers and look at the main supply sources.

Federal adoption carries a more stringent form of punishment in both incarceration and asset forfeiture. I will continue to push for federal case adoptions when appropriate.

What improvements need to be made within the sheriff's office and how do you go about making those improvements in times of tight budgets?

Once in office I will make necessary assessments both internally and externally. From there I create an appropriate plan of action to address the needs.

Please state the need for a new county jail or its expansion. Are there other ways to deal with inmate overcrowding beyond construction?

The current jail was built to house 85 inmates. It is my understanding that the current jail is overcrowded. The most immediate solution to the overcrowding problem is to transport inmates to neighboring county jails and pay the expense of housing, and transport.

Sixty to 70 percent of the offenders in the local jail are pretrial detainees.

I will work with the courts and encourage pretrial screening programs to help reduce the pressure for jail beds.

Pretrial screening is much less expensive than housing an offender, costs less than $10 per day per offender on average, compared to $48-$52 per day to provide jail space.

I will encourage the use community corrections programs to help ease the overcrowding problem. Alternatives to incarcerations such as pretrial release, community service work programs, day reporting centers, residential treatment facilities and other local alternatives and rehabilitation to the offender typically cost approximately $5 per day, compared to the $48-$52 per day cost of housing an offender in the jail. Finally, if the county in the future increased the size of the current jail, I would be in support of U.S. Justice Department Cooperative Agreement Program.

Under this agreement the county could contract with the U.S Marshal Service and house federal prisoners for a fee.

As an addendum to the previous jail question, county commissioners recently voted to not expend funds on the jail expansion. Was this a good idea or bad idea? Should the matter be reopened? How will you work within this vote to ease overcrowding at the jail?

I will work to make sure that the jail is safe and secure. Secondly, I will work within the parameters available without compromising public safety.

What can the sheriff's office do to be more proactive?

Law enforcement in general can be more proactive through accessibility, and cooperative law enforcement. Law enforcement visibility and support in all communities will help foster trust and develop communication. Law enforcement agencies working together as a team will help demonstrate unity subsequently a positive perception from the community it serves.

Describe your vision for law enforcement in Halifax County.

Moving Halifax County forward I plan to take an innovative approach to improve public safety and enhance the quality of life.

Through positive leadership and with a commitment and passion for service, I believe that I can make a difference in keeping our citizens safe. I invite you to participate in this vision to move Halifax County forward. Through collaboration, we will foster a safer and more prosperous community for ourselves, our children and generations to come.

The Jeffery Cotton murder case has yet to be solved. Amy Bridgeman has yet to be found. What are you doing, or what would you do, to solve these two cases?

My respect goes out to all the families who have lost loved ones.

I will pledge to dedicate resources to every unsolved cold case in Halifax County. I will review all unsolved case files and form a review panel to help create a things to do checklist.

I will form a task force that will follow-up leads and be primarily dedicated to working cold cases.

I will look to outside agencies and organizations for help and advice in working these cases. I will explore the idea of recruiting retired detectives from state, federal and local agencies to volunteer their services and expertise to help solve cold cases.

I will be opened minded and work diligently in my efforts to help solve all cold cases.  

Why are you running?

In 1984, at the age of 19, I was hired by Sheriff W. C. “Bill” Bailey as a Jailer. Since 1985, I have been promoted through the ranks of the Sheriff’s Office by Sheriffs Bailey, M. L. Stallings and Jeff Frazier. In 2008, I was promoted to the position of chief deputy, overseeing all operations of the Sheriff’s Office.

In August of 2013, the Halifax County Board of Commissioners, by majority vote, appointed me as Sheriff of Halifax County out of four other candidates.

During my course of service, I have completed thousands of hours of continuing education and in service training.

I hold a North Carolina Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate and am certified by the State of North Carolina as a Criminal Investigator. As an investigator, my specialties were crimes against children and homicide.

I have administrated and supervised over a narcotics unit that has been successful in the largest federal drug campaign in Halifax County history. Under my supervision, the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office has been acknowledged as having the area’s highest overall clearance rates in crime, according to the SBI.

I have been serving the citizens of Halifax County for the last 30 years.

I was humbled and blessed to have started at the bottom and work my way up to my current position of sheriff.

The sheriff’s job is to protect the lives and property of all citizens within the county.

I am committed to providing a safe and secure environment for Halifax County citizens to live and work.

I have and will continue to enforce the law.

Based on my proven leadership and experience, I wish to continue to serve all the citizens of Halifax County.

What is the biggest issue facing the Halifax County Sheriff's Office?

(See answer to question on how the sheriff's office can be more proactive)

How do you go about lowering the crime rate in the county with limited manpower and equipment?

(See answer to question on how the sheriff's office can be more proactive)

What can the sheriff's office do to be more proactive?

The state of our local economy is a pressing issue.

Halifax County is a tier one county, which equates to one of the poorest counties in the state.

Property crimes and substance abuse are up. During any given 12-hour shift, we have seven uniformed deputies working 712 square miles.

I have reallocated personnel in scheduling to address crime trends which have resulted in reducing crime in Halifax County.

Visibility is number one in fighting crime. Every township in our county is unique. I have established “Concerns for Your Community” meetings throughout Halifax County.

On a regular basis, I meet with each community to discuss crime trends and learn what the Sheriff’s Office can do to better serve the citizens.

I have also enacted the Sheriff E-Program. This program, through email, allows citizens to learn about crime as its happening in their area. It enables the individual to protect themselves and their property. To participate, email: sheriff@halifaxnc.com, list the post office you receive your postal mail.

The state has specifically outlawed Internet sweepstakes cafe, yet they continue to operate in Halifax County. Why are they continuing to operate? Do you feel they should be allowed to operate? Will you enforce the state law?

In reference to “outlawed internet sweepstakes cafe”, there’s no mention of that term in NC General Statute 14-306.4. It does talk about electronic machines and devices for sweepstakes.

Those machines are prohibited. Operators have moved to new software that is designed to fall outside the scope of the statute.

Some operators are using systems that reveal the result of the sweepstake on the screen before any game simulation appears.

Past inspections of vendors in Halifax County found these pre-reveal systems. Criminal prosecutions under 14-306.4 began slowly. There have been convictions at the district court level but most have been appealed.

There also have been many acquittals/not guilty based on the argument of legality of the pre-reveal systems. This law is unclear.

Law enforcement in our area has not received any state mandated training concerning this statute. There needs to be a clear interpretation of how to successfully investigate this statute. I will not waste county money and manpower charging a vendor only to lose a case because of insufficient evidence to prosecute. Once we have clear guidance on how to prosecute this statute, yes, we will enforce the law.

In Halifax County, cooperation among other local law enforcement agencies has been paramount in solving numerous crimes. Why does this work and will you take more advantage or less advantage of this in your tenure as sheriff?

The Sheriff’s position is considered to be the top law enforcement officer of the county. It is very important to have strong working relationships with the different municipalities.

Crime fighting needs no boundaries.

Law enforcement is a thin blue line. Working together works. I would like to partner with the District Attorney’s office and have monthly meetings with the police departments to share information.

Do you anticipate continuing to use federal adoption of local cases and do you believe your relationship with the feds is strong enough to continue these efforts?

The Sheriff’s Office has strong working relationships with various federal agencies.

Carrying local cases to the federal level for adoption is very crucial for the taxpayers of Halifax County.

Those assets seized by the Sheriff’s Office can have a return up to 80 percent.

This enables a variety of necessary equipment be acquired without using county tax dollars.

Working with the federal agencies in the prosecution of Halifax County drug offenders, we are seeing more substantial prison time.

During the course of our continued federal investigations, federal agencies have requested our participation in the task force officer program.

This will enhance federal forfeitures and result in further federal prosecutions.

I am committed to the federal task force officer program. The Sheriff’s Office is currently an active member of the Federal East Force program with cases being prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina.

What improvements need to be made within the sheriff's office and how do you go about making those improvements in times of tight budgets?

As your Sheriff, I manage approximately 90 employees, those sworn and non-sworn. I oversee a budget of approximately $6.

We do an excellent job. Could we do better? Yes. Are we perfect? No. With the tight budget, I have reallocated personnel, to address crime on a daily basis.

Others may make promises to get elected; a true leader makes it happen with what is allocated.

Please state the need for a new county jail or its expansion. Are there other ways to deal with inmate overcrowding beyond construction?

(See answer to the following the question)

As an addendum to the previous jail question, county commissioners recently voted to not expend funds on the jail expansion. Was this a good idea or bad idea? Should the matter be reopened? How will you work within this vote to ease overcrowding at the jail?

I was a jailer, employed with the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, when the current jail was erected in 1984, 30 years ago.

Our jail has an 85 bed capacity.

The jail expansion project has been in the planning stages for several years, before I took over as sheriff.

Recently during a jail inspection, the state inspector imposed a cap of 95 inmates, in-house, due to overcrowding issues.

With the assistance of the elected District Attorney Melissa Pelfrey, my staff along with the DA’s Office has been able to reduce the jail population to stay in compliance with the state mandated cap. This cooperation is necessary because the District Attorney has control of the court docket.

County Commissioners have decided to forego the jail expansion.

As a taxpayer serving taxpayers, I too do not want a tax increase. As your sheriff, I am working diligently with county management and legal to secure contracts with area counties to take care of the overflow of inmates.

As an administrator, it is my job to take what is allocated by the commissioners and make it work.

I am a firm believer, that if the court docket can be streamlined, we can maintain the 85 bed capacity. Because of the impending judicial district merger, this issue may have to be revisited because of whatever impact that may have.

Describe your vision for law enforcement in Halifax County.

Working together works. Continued cooperation and working with the different communities throughout Halifax County.

To promote initiatives which will coordinate efforts with all branches of law enforcement agencies and state and federal prosecutors, to better impact Halifax County and the surrounding areas.

Criminals have no jurisdiction issue.

I will not allow that to be an advantage. We will continue to enhance our efforts to fight crime in Halifax County.

The Jeffery Cotton murder case has yet to be solved. Amy Bridgeman has yet to be found. What are you doing, or what would youdo, to solve these two cases.

Concerning the open cases of Jeffrey Cotton and Amy Bridgeman, I cannot discuss the facts of those cases. I will not jeopardize the integrity of those cases.

Bio

I am a native of Halifax County, attended Halifax County Public Schools and graduated from William R. Davie High School.

Family, Church and Civic: Two children and three grandchildren

My daughter is a Ultrasongrapher at a local doctor’s office

My son is a State Trooper with the North Carolina Highway Patrol

A member and attend Rosemary United Methodist Church

Former Member of Church Administrative Committee

President of my Homeowner’s Association

Member of the Widow’s Son Masonic Lodge #519 since 1977

Professional/Education:

30-plus years as a law enforcement officer

25 years Halifax County Sheriff’s Office

16 years as Chief Deputy, major in the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office

Associate Degree in Police Science

28 years NC National Guard – Command Sergeant Major

Two years as Magistrate

Several thousand hours of training during career

Halifax County Law Enforcement Officer of the year award

Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate

Law Enforcement Advanced Service Award

Life time member Halifax County Law Enforcement Officers Association

Past President, Secretary, Treasurer of Halifax County Law Enforcement Association

Past member of Halifax County Safety Committee

Life Time Member Enlisted Association of National Guard of United States

Department of The Army Distinguished Trainee Certificate

Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year Award

Currently police Officer with Roanoke Rapids Police and Scotland Neck Police, retired from Halifax County Sheriff’s Office to run for Sheriff

Why are you running?

My entire career in law enforcement has been in service to the citizens of Halifax County. As sheriff I will be able to utilize the experience I have gained in law enforcement, the military and judicial service to provide efficient and effective service to the citizens of halifax county. It has been a long time desire to serve our county as sheriff.

What is the biggest issue facing the Halifax County Sheriff's Office?

The biggest issue facing halifax county sheriff’s office is providing effective law enforcement to ensure a safe environment in our schools, communities, and workplaces. This will require a joint effort by all agencies and departments working together to identify and establish procedures to accomplish our common goal in reducing and preventing crime.

How do you go about lowering the crime rate in the county with limited manpower and equipment?

In a rural setting, such as Halifax County, law abiding citizens would be encouraged to organize crime watch programs and meet with law enforcement on a regular bases to exchange ideas and share information on ways and means to assist one another.

The state has specifically outlawed Internet sweepstakes cafe, yet they continue to operate in Halifax County. Why are they continuing to operate? Do you feel they should be allowed to operate? Will you enforce the state law?

In short, the state has specifically outlawed internet sweepstakes cafes and the law should be enforced or repealed.

In Halifax County, cooperation among other local law enforcement agencies has been paramount in solving numerous crimes. Why does this work and will you take more advantage or less advantage of this in your tenure as sheriff?

There is no question that cooperation and support among all local law enforcement agencies is necessary and beneficial for all concerned. This works because a joint effort will be the most effective way to utilize available resources. I will make every effort to join all law enforcement agencies together in dealing with crime.

Do you anticipate continuing to use federal adoption of local cases and do you believe your relationship with the feds is strong enough to continue these efforts?

Federal adoption of local cases has proven to be very effective in local cases. I will make the feds aware of how important their assistance in local cases is needed and request they be continued.

What improvements need to be made within the sheriff's office and how do you go about making those improvements in times of tight budgets?

Identifying and implementing ways to prevent and reduce crime needs to be addressed. This can only be achieved through collaboration with all local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and citizen groups sharing and implementing ideas to deal with crime.

Please state the need for a new county jail or its expansion. Are there other ways to deal with inmate overcrowding beyond construction?

The jail capacity has been established by the North Carolina Jail Standards and we have no alternative but to comply. However, with assistance of our district attorney, judges, magistrates and utilizing available jail space in neighboring counties the over crowding conditions of the jail can be managed.

As an addendum to the previous jail question, county commissioners recently voted to not expend funds on the jail expansion. Was this a good idea or bad idea? Should the matter be reopened? How will you work within this vote to ease overcrowding at the jail?

Rather than expanding the jail at a cost of millions of dollars at the expense of the taxpayers we have more important needs, such as improvements in our schools through out the county. There is no question in my mind the commissioners made the right decision. Other viable arrangements for our over-crowding conditions at the jail can be made as mentioned above.

What can the sheriff's office do to be more proactive?

The sheriff’s office can be more proactive by encouraging law abiding individuals to confidentially/anonymously share any information with law enforcement that they feel would endanger or put our schools, communities and workplaces at risk. Law abiding citizens are very much aware of potential criminal activity and can be a tremendous assistance to law enforcement and should be encouraged to share this information

Describe your vision for law enforcement in Halifax County.

My vision for law enforcement in Halifax County is to unite all local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in an effort to reduce and prevent crime in Halifax County.

The Jeffery Cotton murder case has yet to be solved. Amy Bridgeman has yet to be found. What are you doing, or what would you do, to solve these two cases?

Individually assign an investigator to each case with explicit instructions to review and re-examine all information and evidence, including re-interviewing prospective witnesses to make sure no information is overlooked. Investigators should be in frequent contact with the victim’s family to keep them informed of the status of the case and assure them the case will remain active until solved.

Opening statement

I am a Roanoke Valley native, educated in the Weldon City Schools and Fayetteville State University.

I have been married to the former Sandra Walden for 33 years and we have raised two adult children, Kendal and Kevin.

My mother-in-law is Mrs. Arizona McNair Putney of Roanoke Rapids.

I retired as Community Corrections Manager with the Department of Public Safety with 28 years of service.

My community involvement in Halifax County includes the following: Co-founder and President of Exodus for Youth mentoring organization for 21 years, volunteer youth soccer and basketball coach for 15 years, Real Estate Agent for over 25 years, former school board member 13 years, member of Halifax Regional Medical Center Board of Directors 10 years and currently serve as Chairman of State Employee’s Credit Union Board.

Why are you running?

I am seeking my second term on the Halifax County Board of Commissioners to continue the priorities of my first term and they are to focus on jobs, education, senior citizens, public safety and maintain low property taxes.

Are you for or against school merger?

I am opposed to merger of the three schools districts currently operating in Halifax County.

Here is why:

As it relates to students, I have seen no data to prove a correlation between merging schools and an increase in overall academic achievement or a reduction in the drop-out rate for students.

Merging schools would lead to larger classroom sizes, longer bus rides for students, as well longer commutes for parents to get to their child’s school.

Higher performing students would continue to perform at a high level in Honors and AP classes, while lower performing students would continue to struggle in classes tracked for lower performance.

As it relates to taxes, the voters of the Halifax County School District voted down a supplemental school tax by almost 3 to 1 which would have raised county taxes for education to levels currently being paid by the residents of Weldon and Roanoke Rapids School Districts.

Weldon and Roanoke Rapids decided years ago to make education a priority and in doing so, they chose to raise taxes and make the financial sacrifice to fund their children’s education.

In 2012, 72 percent of the voters in the Halifax County School District decided they were still not ready to pay more taxes, even if it will benefit our students of the county.

I am not going to overrule their decision by supporting a merger that would force them into paying more taxes.

As it is related to jobs, a merger would lead to school closings as well as major layoff for teachers, administrators, as well as other staff. Our county needs more jobs, not less jobs.

I will not support any action that puts Halifax County residents out of work.

Do you feel there are any alternative to merger that could be explored?

The Evergreen Report identified several recommendations that could save tax payer dollars and if implemented, could make the system more efficient. Emphasis on the three public school systems in Halifax County should not be about merger, but about student achievement.

Which report do you feel is more valid, The UNC Center for Civil Rights Study or the Evergreen Report?

The UNC Center for Civil Rights Study report viewed the three systems from a historical civil rights perspective. The Evergreen Report was commissioned by the Halifax County Board of Commissioners to examine ways to improve education in the county and provide information to make improvements. Both reports should be considered, however the Evergreen Report should be our guide.

The county’s fund balance has dipped dangerously low. Please explain how you think this happened? Please explain what needs to be done to get it back up to acceptable levels?

I think the reason for the fund balance dipping so low has to do with the recent recession the county experienced.

Halifax County also has high unemployment, cuts in federal and state funding as well as less money in local sales taxes and not much economic growth.

In order to improve our fund balance, the economy will need to improve and we need to continue to look for ways to cut county costs while preserving county services.

I feel that we have economic development projects that will soon come to fruition in 2015/2016 that will provide a major boost to our local economy.

Some governments enact small tax increases each year to keep up with the cost of doing business. Would you be in favor of this?

I’m opposed to any tax increase. If a tax increase should need to occur, I feel that discussion should be centered around a sales tax and not a property tax.

Commissioners recently voted to not expend funds to expand the county jail. Why or why not was this the correct thing to do? Do you feel this matter should be looked at again? What do you believe the economic advantages or disadvantages to this decision will be?

I agree with the decision by the Halifax County Board of Commissioners not to refurbish and expand the Halifax County Jail. This was the right thing to do due to the projected cost for the entire project.

If we had proceeded with this project we would have had great challenges in trying to move forward to build/remodel schools.

Additionally it would have been a very good possibility that we would have to raise property taxes, which is something the Commissioners did not want to do.

We did vote to move forward with a transportation plan for inmates which will ease overcrowding in the Halifax County jail at the same time put the county in compliance with state requirements.

Following the meetings on the recreation master plan, one of the recommendations is that the county consider forming a recreation department and making the 4-H Rural Life Center part of that plan. What are your thoughts on recreational needs in the county and how do we go about making that happen? What needs to be done to bring recreational activities to wider spectrum of people in the county?

Halifax County is almost at the bottom when it comes to health. I do feel that more recreation is needed in the county. I strongly feel that more conversation regarding this needs to take place among Commissioners and our citizens.

Discuss any other issues you feel are important for the betterment of Halifax County and what you would do to improve them.

I truly believe that the only way the county will move forward would be for citizens to currently work together for the betterment of our county. I strongly feel that more parental involvement is needed to enhance education for all our boys and girls in the county. As a County Commissioner, I’m committed to bringing these things to fruition. 

Why are you running?

I am running because I believe that my current experience as a lawyer would be a great asset to the board.

Are you for against school merger?

I am against school merger because it does not guarantee the quality of education will improve. The disadvantage to merger is an increase in property taxes.

Do you feel there are any alternatives to merger that could be explored?

My alternative to merger is for the Halifax County Public School System to have K through 8 on one campus. Everett's Elementary School should merge with William R. Davie. This would save millions of dollars by not building a new school. K through 8 should be in the Hollister-Ringwood area. This would eliminate the bussing of these students to William R. Davie and Enfield Middle. There should be a K through 8 school in the Scotland Neck area, also. Also a facility should be used as an alternative school. Millions will be saved by the decrease in transportation costs and maintenance costs.

Which report do you feel is more valid, The UNC Center for Civil Rights Study or the Evergreen Report?

I disagree with both reports.

The county’s fund balance has dipped dangerously low. Please explain how you think this happened? Please explain what needs to be done to get it back up to acceptable levels?

I would have to thoroughly review the budget to this question. I would not be in favor of a tax increase.

Some governments enact small tax increases each year to keep up with the cost of doing business.

Would you be in favor of this?

(See answer to above question)

Commissioners recently voted to not expend funds to expand the county jail. Why or why not was this the correct thing to do? Do you feel this matter should be looked at again? What do you believe the economic advantages or disadvantages to this decision will be?

I believe that we must expand the county jail. We are transporting inmates and paying other jails to house our inmates. I do not believe we need to spend $8 million. The county jail should be expanded in phases. Phase 1 would be to deal with overcrowding only. Phase II, if feasible, should deal with housing federal or inmates from other counties only if the county can profit.

Following the meetings on the recreation master plan, one of the recommendations is that the county consider forming a recreation department and making the 4-H Rural Life Center part of that plan. What are your thoughts on recreational needs in the county and how do we go about making that happen? What needs to be done to bring recreational activities to a wider spectrum of people in the county?

The county has recreational needs, but I think we must determine if the county residents would support a recreational department. I believe we should have community forums to determine the level of support. Also, can the county support it?

Discuss any other issues you feel are important for the betterment of Halifax County and what you would do to improve them.

(No response)