CMPD SWAT Officer Dies in Tragic Accident

On February 25, 2011 at approximately 5:35 p.m., Mint Hill Fire and Rescue responded to a call for service on Tinkerton Court, located in Mint Hill. This is the residence of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Fred Thornton.

Upon arrival, Mint Hill Fire and Rescue located Officer Thornton suffering from life threatening injuries. He was transported to Carolinas Medical Center-Main, where he underwent surgery in an effort to save his life. Despite the heroic efforts by medical staff, Officer Thornton died this evening as result of his injuries.

This afternoon at approximately 3:45 p.m. Officer Thornton assisted with a SWAT warrant in the Metro Division. The warrant service was conducted without incident and SWAT officers cleared the scene at approximately 4:45 p.m. Then Officer Thornton drove his assigned SWAT vehicle to his residence in Mint Hill.

Based on the preliminary investigation, it is believed that Officer Thornton’s injuries were the result of a discharge from a distraction device that occurred during the attempt to render his equipment safe. A distraction device is standard issued equipment to SWAT officers deployed during tactical operations.

Officer Thornton is 28 ½ year veteran of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. He is assigned to the North Tryon Division and a 23-year member of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.

Members of CMPD have been with Officer Thornton’s family at CMC throughout the evening, and are heartbroken over the loss of a veteran member of their family. An investigation is being conducted by the Mint Hill Police Department with the assistance of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.
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The visitation for Officer Thornton will be held Monday, February 28, 2011, from 1800-2100 at First Baptist Church Charlotte, 301 South Davidson Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28231.

The funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at 1100 hours, also at First Baptist Church Charlotte, 301 South Davidson Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28231.

Burial will follow the funeral service at Sharon Memorial Park, 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28212.

Missing Woman Janet Simpson Found Dead in Catawba River

Detectives with the CMPD Homicide Unit and Missing Persons Unit have confirmed they have located the body of missing person, 56-year old Janet Simpson.

Ms. Simpson was last seen in SE Charlotte on December 5, 2010. Her SUV was found in Belmont a few days later, which is about 3/4 of a mile from where her body was found today.

The body was found floating in the Catawba River off Amos Smith Road in the Freedom Division.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective. Detective Burkard is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

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Remember... Knowledge is Power!

As always, please e-mail me if you have any questions, concerns, comments or have ideas of material you'd like to see on this blog . I look forward to hearing from you as we enter our 5th year together!

The 16th Annual Burnette-Nobles Memorial Golf Tournament on April 11th!

The CMPD HOPE Foundation is hosting it's 16th Annual Burnette-Nobles Memorial
GOLF Tournament.

The tournament will be played on Monday, April 11, 2011 at Highland Creek Golf Club.

This annual event is held in honor of Officer John Burnette (L) and Officer Andy Nobles (R) who were “Killed in the Line of Duty” in Charlotte on October 5, 1993.

The tournament is organized by members of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, family members of the slain officers, and countless community volunteers. Two hundred and eighty-eight (288) golfers participate in the event each year, while others come out to fellowship with us and enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch.

The monies raised from this year’s tournament will be used to support the Burnette-Nobles Fund and the CMPD HOPE Foundation. The proceeds will be used to support community projects and programs for disadvantaged youth and senior citizens in our community and CMPD employees in a crisis.

Making this event successful this year and in the future can only be accomplished with the generosity of you and your business! In addition to players (teams of 4) We are in need of Corporate Sponsors, Corporate gifts (i.e. Product or Services) to donate which will be used as prizes for the golf event or in the silent auction. All monies donated are tax deductible!

* Registration Form (brochure)
* Corporate/Individual Sponsorship
* Donation Form

Track Offenders in Jail, Sexual Offenders, Court Cases, etc.

NC SAVAN Resources: Gives custody status and offender information and is provided by the statewide automated system (SAVAN) on behalf of the North Carolina Sheriffs, the NCDOC the North Carolina courts (District Attorney Office)

*Note: Meck County Jail custody status notifications & movements are ONLY provided by the VINE automated system.

Click here to SEARCH & REGISTER FOR NOTIFICATIONS*
(by phone or e-mail)

* If you are a crime victim or have a family/friend incarcerated this service is helpful.

Citizens Should Demand DSS Audit!!

The Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services is lacking in the 'fraud investigations' unit continues to give our tax dollars away and no forensic accountants or CPA's are there to stop it, monitor it .... I am sure we've all come across people we know who are undeserving of welfare, food stamps, SSI, etc.; however, DSS continues to give our tax dollars away and nobody is there to stop it, monitor it nor do we have anyone independently auditing their spending!!

Mecklenburg County DSS does not even bother to have an operating 'fraud line' for citizens to report fraud when they see it! FINALLY, County Commissioner Jim Pendergraph is asking for an independent audit of DSS spending on welfare and I strongly support him for reasons I will report soon... Something I find odd is the LACK of information regarding DSS funds fraud in Mecklenburg County.

* Click here for Mecklenburg County Commissioner CONTACT INFORMATION

Pastor Arrested at Airport Overlook for Soliciting Sex

Clinton Feemster, 59, was charged with 'solicit- crime against nature' after police say he tried to solicit sex from an undercover police detective.

The incident happened at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport's overlook at 6700 Old Dowd Road. Police say the incident occurred in a public area where families were present.

According to the police report, Clinton Feemster was "soliciting an undercover detective for oral sex." The CMPD has received numerous complaints from people who have observed lewd sexual activity taking place at this location.

Pastor Feemster teaches theology to both students and other ministers at Gardner-Webb University and has been a Pastor at Mount Zion Baptist Church for more than 20 years.

Homicide Detectives Conducting an Investigation on Longspur Dr

UPDATE: Information developed during this investigation has revealed that one male subject had an altercation inside of the home. The subject then exited the residence and committed suicide.

No charges have been filed against the male as Homicide Detectives continue to investigate this case and ask anyone with additional information to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Homicide Investigators with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department are conducting an investigation at 2843 Longspur Drive.

On Saturday, February 19, 2011, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Independence Division officers were dispatched to the location concerning a Domestic Assault with a Deadly Weapon call.

Upon officers arrival, they discovered a male lying in the street in front of the location with fatal injuries. Preliminary information gathered on the scene indicated that the deceased subject arrived at the home and got into an altercation with another male who was present inside the home.

The altercation resulted in the death of one subject and non- life threatening injuries of the second subject. Names of the individuals involved are being withheld pending family notification.

At this time it appears that this incident is domestic related and not a random act of violence. Anyone with additional information concerning this case should contact lead investigator S. Manassah at 704-432-TIPS.

Rapper Waka Flocka Flame's Tour Bus Shot at in Charlotte

UPDATE:  The Mecklenburg County D.A.'s Office has dismissed charges against the six men arrested in this case.  Murray advised he did not have enough evidence to prosecute this case without a reasonable doubt.
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Rapper Waka Flocka Flame's tour bus was parked outside Car Stereo Warehouse on Independence Boulevard on Wednesday afternoon getting a stereo installed when an exchange of gunfire occurred outside the bus. The bus had at least five bullet holes in the side.

According to a news article, Six men were in police custody after authorities say they shot at Rapper Waka Flocka Flame's tour bus in North Carolina. CMPD has NOT confirmed any arrests.

Members of Waka's security reportedly fired back and Waka and several of his accomplices were detained but not arrested. Since then police have six men in custody including 20-year-old Lamar Stukes who was struck by the rapper's security in the shoulder.

The six males have been charged with armed robbery, conspiracy and two counts of shooting into an occupied property. The rapper recently released his latest mixtape Salute Me Or Shoot Me 3.  - See more here

38 Habitual Felons Sentenced to Prison

Forty-five defendants plead guilty in Mecklenburg County Superior Court before The Honorable Hugh B. Lewis, Superior Court Judge. The defendants entered guilty pleas from February 8th - February 11, 2011.

Thirty-eight defendants were habitual felons and received active prison sentences; among them were:

Steve Watts, 43, plead guilty to 1) two counts of felony breaking or entering and 2) being a habitual felon. Watts was sentenced to 87-114 months in prison.

Harold Patterson, 35, pled guilty to 1) possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, 2) felony possession of marijuana, and 3) being a habitual felon. Patterson was sentenced to 80-105 months in prison.

Jamal Williams, 38, pled guilty to felony failure to appear. Williams is currently serving 121-155 months in prison after the DA’s Habitual Felon Team tried him before a jury in August 2010 and he was convicted of felony possession of heroin and being a habitual felon.

Donald McClure, 30, pled guilty to three counts of felony larceny. McClure was sentenced to 60-72 months in prison.

Maurice Seaver, 59, plead guilty to 1) felony breaking or entering and 2) felony larceny after breaking or entering. Seaver was sentenced to 40-48 months in prison.

William Young, 54, plead guilty to four counts of financial transaction card theft. Young was sentenced to 40-48 months in prison.

Michael Johnson, 49, pled guilty to 1) felony breaking or entering, 2) felony larceny after breaking or entering, and 3) felony conspiracy. Johnson was sentenced to 39-47 months in prison.

Tylon Wallace, 32, pled guilty to 1) possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine and 2) the sale of MDMA. Wallace was sentenced to 37-42 months.

Kenterries Johnson, 33, pled guilty to 1) possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine and 2) possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Johnson was sentenced to 37-45 months in prison. (Johnson has 10 arrests in 3 years in Mecklenburg County)

Teresa Sullivan, 47, pled guilty to felony larceny. Sullivan was sentenced to 25-30 months in prison.

Quertin Robinson, 28, pled guilty to 1) felony breaking or entering a motor vehicle and 2) felony possession of stolen goods. Robinson was sentenced to 24-29 months in prison.

Habitual Felon Tried, Convicted and Sentenced to 20-25 years

I would like to thank and applaud District Attorney Andrew Murray and his staff for such a smooth transition from one D.A. to the next. I am sure it requied a lot of work 'behind the scenes' but from a citizen's view... flawless. I am glad to see the 'Media Releases' Updated so fast.


The District Attorney’s Habitual Felon Team tried Arthur Cook the week of January 24, 2011, in courtroom 5150. Cook, 49, was tried for 1) felony breaking or entering, 2) larceny after breaking or entering and 3) being a habitual felon.

The jury returned verdicts of guilty in both phases of the trial and Cook was sentenced to 240-306 months in prison by The Honorable W. Robert Bell, Superior Court Judge. Cook’s prior convictions include, but are not limited to, armed robbery, housebreaking, burglary, felony larceny (4 counts), and felony forgery (7 counts)
* From May 2008 - September 2009, Cook was arrested 8 times

US Army Recruiter Charged with Sexual Battery

Detectives with the CMPD Sexual Assault Unit served Charlie Landrum Ingram, a Recruiting Sergeant with the US Army, with multiple warrants related to an assault which occurred at the US Army recruiting office located at 440 McCullough Drive on February 3, 2011.

The warrants were obtained for two counts of Sexual Battery, one count of False Imprisonment and one count of Assault on Female.

According to CMPD, on February 3, 2011, the victim, a 20-year old female was at the US Army recruiting office participating in the 'Future Soldiers Program.' While she was waiting, Sgt. Ingram made inappropriate sexual comments to the victim and escorted her to a supply room where he sexually assaulted her.

The victim attempted to leave the room but Sgt. Ingram pushed her into the corner of the room and continued to fondle her. The victim was finally able to escape the assault when someone came into the building startling the suspect.

Sgt. Ingram was arrested and served with the warrants when he surrendered to CMPD Detectives on February 10, 2011. He was taken to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and given a bail amount of $5,000 for the four misdemeanor charges.

Anyone with information regarding this case or any other incidents involving US Army Sgt. Ingram is asked to contact Detective Banner with the Sexual Assault Unit via e-mail or call 704-336-8279.

Woman Hits Three Pedestrians & Kills Two: Charged with Death by Vehicle

UPDATE: After further investigation on this crash, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department’s Major Crash Investigation Unit has determined that Ms. Bauer was traveling at least 48 MPH in the 25 MPH zone when she stuck the three pedestrians. +

This is a tragic event that should remind all of us to take care while driving! Pay attention to the road! If you cannot do two things at once, PULL OVER-- just use your turn signal while doing so!! (my biggest pet peeve as a 'transplant' is the lack of use of turn signals in Charlotte)

Sharai Bauer, 18, is charged with two counts of death by motor vehicle after she took her eyes off the road to reach down and pick up personal items that fell on her floor board.

CMPD released the following statement: On February 9, 2011 at 11:35 am, Sharai Bauer was operating a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix traveling south on Corsica Forest Drive, a residential street with a posted 25 MPH speed limit.

As Ms. Bauer approached the 13650 block of Corsica Forest Drive, her attention became diverted from the roadway towards the floor board of her vehicle where personal items had fallen. Two adult pedestrians and a child being pushed in a stroller were walking in the roadway, close to the right curb, with traffic. Ms Bauer’s vehicle then struck the three individuals as they were walking with their backs to the vehicle.

Ji Sheng Lu, 66, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Jing Lu, 37, was transported to CMC with life threatening injuries and later died. The one- year old child that was being pushed in the stroller was transported to CMC with serious injuries.

Sharai Marie Bauer was not injured in the crash. She was arrested at the scene and charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle. This crash is still being investigated and further charges could result pending the outcome of the scene reconstruction.

An ongoing focus of the investigation will be the determination of the speed that Ms. Bauer was traveling on this residential street at the times immediately preceding the crash, and during the crash itself. CMPD cannot offer an estimate of the involved vehicle’s speed at this time.

This incident is under investigation by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Major Crash Investigation Unit (MCIU). Any witnesses to this incident are being asked to call Detectives with CMPD’s Major Crash Investigation Unit at 704-432-2169.