From Lt. C. Shane Guyant, public information officer for the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office:
Tuesday
Narcotics Agents and Deputies with A-Squad received information from the Eastern District of North Carolina United States Marshals Office concerning the possible location of a subject who was wanted for a child sexual assault by the Raleigh Police Department.
According to the US Marshals Office, Gerald Richardson, 55, of Wilson, was in the Jeremiah Church Road area of Hollister. Richardson was wanted from Wake County for felony rape of a child, sexual offense with a child, and indecent liberties with a child. Richardson was arrested, given a $1 million dollar bond and transported to Wake County.
Wednesday
• On Wednesday evening, Deputy C. Roberts was on patrol in the area of U.S. Highway 158 and U.S. Highway 48 when he noticed a lighting violation on a vehicle. Deputy Roberts conducted a traffic stop, and through his investigation, a probable cause search of the vehicle was also conducted.
During the search, Deputy Roberts located a Smith and Wesson handgun concealed in the center console of the vehicle. The driver, Marquette Travon Williams, 35, of Garysburg, was cited for the equipment violation and was arrested for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Williams was convicted of possession a Schedule I narcotic in 2011 in Durham County, as well as assault inflicting serious injury with intent to kill in 2011 in Durham County. He served six years in the North Carolina Department of Corrections for these convictions. Williams received a $3,000 bond with a Feb. 10 court date.
“If you have noticed, we are finding way too many firearms in the possession of convicted felons in this county,” Sheriff Tyree Davis said. “We will continue to arrest and hope that the courts convict these individuals.”
• On Wednesday evening, Sgt. A. Holland and deputies with the HCSO D-Squad, with the assistance of the Halifax County Narcotics Unit and the Roanoke Rapids Police Department, executed a search warrant at 520 Whitaker St. in Roanoke Rapids. Law enforcement had received numerous complaints of drug activity at this location. An investigation was initiated and it led to deputies obtaining a search warrant for this location. Upon execution of the search warrant, a handgun, narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and items consistent with the sales and manufacturing of narcotics were located within the residence.
Deputies seized 24.2 grams of methamphetamine, 1.8 grams of fentanyl, 73 dosage units of gabapentin, six grams of marijuana, scales and other drug paraphernalia, and a .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun.
Four individuals were arrested and charged as follows:
• Michael Lawrence Fahey, 33, of Roanoke Rapids, was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver Schedule II narcotic, possession of methamphetamine, possession of Schedule I narcotic, possession of Schedule VI narcotic, maintaining a dwelling, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was given a $15,000 bond and a Feb. 3 court date.
• Charles Owen Pearson, 60, of Roanoke Rapids, was also charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver Schedule II narcotic, possession of methamphetamine, possession of Schedule I narcotic, possession of Schedule VI narcotic, maintaining a dwelling, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was given a $15,000 bond and a Feb. 3 court date.
• Samantha Ramey Drake, 32, of Emporia, Virginia, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was given a $4,000 bond and a Feb. 3 court date.
• Michael Anthony Carter, 38, of Roanoke Rapids, was arrested after it was learned that he was wanted by North Carolina Probation and Parole for being an absconder. Carter was given a $5,000 bond and a Feb. 14 court date.
If you have information about crimes in Halifax County, you are encouraged to report what you know anonymously to Halifax County Crime Stoppers by calling 252-583-4444, or online at halifaxcountycrimestoppers.org. Information is confidential, and you can get paid for what you know.
• Cpl. G. Keel arrested Andrew Riley Hardin, 34, of Roanoke Rapids, on outstanding probation violation order for arrest. During the arrest, Cpl. Keel discovered fentanyl in Hardin’s possession. In addition to the outstanding order for arrest, Hardin was charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance. Hardin received a $5,000 bond with a Feb. 3 court date.
A note from the HCSO
There are resources out there to help with addiction. You first have to recognize you have a problem. Once you make that commitment to getting help it is there for you. If you want help, please contact Trillium Health Resources at 1-877-685-2415 or online at trilliumhealthresources.org.
“Please stop this destructive cycle of addiction. We beg of you to please get help!”
Jan. 13
On Dec. 7, the HCSO was called to an address on Lovitt Steet in Roanoke Rapids in reference to a larceny of a motor vehicle. Detective Sgt. J. Pignanello was assigned the investigation, where he discovered that Ashley Ruth Waters, 37, of Scotland Neck, had stolen and was in possession of the vehicle. It appears from the investigation that the victim and Waters were acquaintances.
On Jan. 13, Waters was arrested with the vehicle in her possession by Deputy D. Taylor. Waters was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle and felony possession of stolen property. She was given a $5,000 bond and her court date was scheduled for Jan. 26.
Jan. 24
Cpl. G. Keel located a suspicious vehicle parked on a path near a solar farm near Airbase Drive in Roanoke Rapids. As Cpl. Keel approached the vehicle and attempted to speak with the driver, the driver fled in the vehicle. A chase reached speeds of approximately 85 mph and ended at Sam Powell Dairy and Rhea roads, with the driver fleeing away on foot. The passenger, Jeremy Simmons, 40, of Roanoke Rapids, was apprehended immediately. The driver was apprehended a short distance from where the chase concluded. The driver was identified as Tishawn Edwards, 34, of Roanoke Rapids.
Edwards was charged with felony flee to elude, possession of a firearm by felon, possession of a stolen firearm, possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine, felony possession of cocaine, maintaining a vehicle to keep a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, driving while license revoked, and other motor vehicle charges. Furthermore, the North Carolina Highway Patrol also charged Edwards with driving while impaired. Edwards received a $26,000 bond and a Jan. 26 court date.
Edwards was previously convicted of the following felonies: 2010 larceny of motor vehicle from Halifax County, 2010 possession of cocaine from Halifax County, 2010 breaking and entering from Halifax County, 2013 possession of firearm by felon from Halifax County, and 2013 possession of cocaine from Halifax County.
Simmons was charged with possession of a stolen firearm, possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine, felony possession of cocaine, maintaining a vehicle to keep a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana. Simmons received a $12,000 bond and a Jan. 26 court date.
