Union County Search Produces Drugs & Guns

In the peak of a several month-long investigation, Union County Sherriff's Office carried out search warrants Thursday which arrested several men on various drug charges.

Officers searched a residence at 3832 Winchester Road and arrested Marvin Louis Miller, 59, on a host of charges including possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Felony Maintain Dwelling to Store and Sell Controlled Substances, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

The investigation was sparked by complaints from citizens of drug activity at the residence, which has a history of various complaints, ranging from drugs and stolen goods to animal complaints. Miller is currently jailed in  Union County under $100,000 bond and has a court date scheduled for October 9.

Also present during the search was Wingate resident Jessica Ann Newton, 24. She was arrested for charges unrelated to the search warrant.

Police in Stallings along with the Union County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team also carried out a search warrant in relation to drug complaints. Officers searched 3909 Privette Road in Stallings  Thursday afternoon and arrested 31 year old Tenslow Duron Lee Friday. Lee was charged with possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, sell cocaine, and deliver cocaine. The search at Lee's residence found crack cocaine as well as drug paraphernalia. He is also jailed in Union County under a $20,000 bond with an October 9 court date.

Also arrested in the search was 35 year old Anthony Ray Lee, a resident of Stallings. He was arrested on charges unrelated to the search warrant.

Iredell County Sheriff Busts 5-Man Burglary Ring

Five people have been arrested in connection with a major burglary ring, according to Iredell County authorities, who worked with law enforcement from at least 7 other North Carolina counties to apprehend the suspects.

The group is suspected to have been behind over 40 burglaries in North Carolina, including 8 counties spanning, from McDowell to Union.  Though the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office claims the ring involved 6 people, only the arrests of 5 suspects have been made public.

Keenan Wade Hildebrand was arrested in Statesville on July 3rd.  About two weeks later on the 19th, Christian Dean Ser Catarino and Jessica Brady were arrested in a hotel in Charlotte.  Finally, on July 24th, John Willard Blackwelder and Trisha Marie Nelson were apprehended at the Conover Wal-Mart in Catawba County.

The arrests stem from an Iredell / Rowan County Sheriff’s investigation in which stolen goods were recovered in Statesville at both the Quality Inn and the Advantage Mini Storage on July 3rd. This led to the arrest of Hildebrand, who is currently in an Iredell County jail.  According to investigators, they recovered stolen goods valued at over $20,000, including firearms and jewelry.

The success of the July 3rd search led investigators to the remaining suspects.  After a disturbance at a Charlotte hotel, Catarino and Brady were arrested, with Catarino being charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.  Following their apprehension, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police notified Iredell County officials of the arrests, where Brady was taken to Iredell County jail as Catarino remains incarcerated in Charlotte.

Blackwelder and Nelson were found days later at the Conover Wal-Mart, with assistance from the NC Highway Patrol and Conover Police.  The couple, now jailed in Catawba County, was driving a stolen car.  Inside the car were stolen goods including firearms and items connected to a Mooresville burglary.

Iredell County authorities have asked that anyone who might have been a victim of these burglaries and who may be able to identify stolen items to contact the agency where they filed a burglary report.

Sheriff's Office Seeking Dead Beat Parents

The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office is busy this holiday season trying to catch parents who owe back child support. Last year, 81 deadbeat parents were arrested. So far this year, police have locked up 92.

The Sheriff's Office now has a list of the top 25 dead beat parents in Mecklenburg County.

Today, Deputies arrested 27-year old Cedrick Ware, who is nearly $14,000 behind in child support. At this time, there are more than 1,300 arrest warrants in Mecklenburg county for deadbeat parents.

Finally... We have a Sheriff!

After weeks of drama and controversy surrounding Nick Mackey, the Mecklenburg County Commissioners finally named Daniel "Chipp" Bailey, 59, as the new Mecklenburg County Sheriff.

Since 1994, Bailey served as Mecklenburg County Chief Deputy Sheriff. He is a native Charlottean who has worked in law enforcement since 1972- primarily in administrative positions.

Bailey's job performance record is impeccable and he plans to continue the 287-g immigration program started by our former Sheriff, Jim Pendergraph.

Sheriff Bailey is now responsible for the day-to-day operation of the largest Sheriff’s Office in North and South Carolina. His responsibilities include overseeing:

• A jail system housing an average daily population of over 2,600 inmates.
• Providing security for over one million visitors to the Mecklenburg County courthouse each year.
• Ensuring timely service of over 100,000 civil and criminal papers each year.
• Receiving and booking over 40,000 arrestees a year.
• Registering and monitoring 650+ sex offenders.
• Issuing gun purchase permits and concealed weapon permits.
• Overseeing a thirty bed juvenile detention facility.

Sheriff Pendergraph to Retire & Work for I.C.E.

Sheriff Jim Pendergraph announced today that he is retiring from his post as Mecklenburg County Sheriff effective December 1st. Sheriff Pendergraph has accepted a Senior Level position with the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Washington, D.C.

Pendergraph was elected Mecklenburg Sheriff in 1994 and was serving his fourth elected term when he accepted the ICE position. As Sheriff, Pendergraph led more than 1,400 law enforcement and support staff with a budget of more than $100 million.

Under Pendergraph’s leadership, Mecklenburg County was the first law enforcement entity on the East Coast to have officers certified for 287 g authority, allowing them limited immigration authorities resulting in the identification of nearly 3,000 criminal illegal aliens that were placed in removal proceedings.

Pendergraph's dedication to law enforcement began as a Military Police Officer in the U.S. Army before becoming a police officer with the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police Department where he was employed for 23 years and rose to the rank of Deputy Chief. Links: Retirement Announcement & ICE Announcement