Burglary

Chief Chuck Hasty said the burglary was reported around 2:15 this morning in the 600 block of Roanoke Avenue and was in progress at the time of the call.
The homeowner told officers they were awakened by the sound of glass breaking.
They observed items had been moved around and the back door was open. Nothing appeared to be missing, Hasty said.
A Halifax County Sheriff’s Office dog handler was called in to assist.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call Investigator G.L. Williams at 252-533-2821 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Shots fired

Around 10:45 Thursday night officers responded to a shots fired call in the area of the 1800 block of Julian R. Allsbrook Highway.
Officers could not locate anyone when they arrived.
Master Officer J. Benthall responded to New Dixie Mart on Highway 125 about a vehicle which was shot into.
The victim told Benthall while at a traffic light at Julian Allsbrook and Premier Boulevard the vehicle was struck by gunfire.
Nobody was injured and there is no description of the suspects or suspect vehicle.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Investigator C. Babb at 252-533-2823 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Traffic stops

This morning around 1 a.m., Sergeant. D. Jenkins conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 95 at the 173 mile maker for a violation.
During the stop narcotics and paraphernalia were found.
Ronald Deleanor Hilton, 20, of Norfolk, was cited for possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and no operator’s license.
He was cited and released until his June 12 court date.
Benthall assisted.

On Thursday at approximately 1:35 a.m., Jenkins attempted to conduct a traffic stop for a violation in the 100 block of Jackson Street.
The driver failed to immediately stop until a few blocks further.
Matthew Tyler Ross, 20, of Roanoke Rapids, was arrested and charged with exceeding a safe speed and failure to stop for blue lights and siren.
He received a $500 bond and May 8 court date.
Ryan Chance Turner, 22, of Gaston, a passenger, was arrested on outstanding warrants for larceny, possession of stolen goods and injury to property and was served an order for arrest for a probation violation.
He received a $3,500 bond and May 4 court date.
Lieutenant J. Baggett and officers J. DeSare and M. Hunsucker assisted.

The event raised $1,500 for the annual shopping spree, Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty said.

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Town police Chief Tyree Davis said one of the men charged was familiar with the victim and money was the motive for the robbery.
Police were called to the scene at North McDaniel Street shortly after 10:15 p.m.
The victim told officers two men entered his residence, held him at gunpoint and took items from him.
The two gunmen fled the residence and ran toward the area of Cary Street.
Corporal C. Peaden and his dog, Lucky, were dispatched to run a track.
During the track, an officer noticed a man get into a vehicle parked in a yard where Lucky was leading.
As the vehicle left, another officer in the area of North Martin Luther King Boulevard was radioed and asked to stop the vehicle.
Sergeant Chris Exum and Officer Cameron Colbert stopped the vehicle and determined the men were allegedly involved in the robbery.

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They were identified as Cleveland Ballard III, 36; Kareem Thomas Bell, 27; and Jermaine Lamar Speller, 25.
Ballard was charged with possession of marijuana, accessory after the fact, and possession of stolen property. He received a $10,000 bond.
Speller and Bell were charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon and first-degree burglary.
They both received $60,000 bonds. All have April 26 court dates.
Some of the stolen items were returned to the victim.

Tripp presented the checks for $1,250 each today at the sheriff’s office in Halifax, two days after the Benefiting the Children event in Roanoke Rapids.
“We had a sold out event,” Tripp said. “Even with the storm we had the house packed to capacity. Legacy put on an excellent show.”
Tripp said he was appreciative of the generosity of county residents, which over the course of four major events have helped raise more than $36,000 for organizations which help children.
He has already set a date — April 28 — for next year’s event and expects to have it at the American Legion.
“It’s humbling,” Tripp said of the outpouring. “For Halifax being a Tier 1 county, I’m blessed to know when we have an event, people come out and do what’s right. Halifax County has been good to me. It’s my way of saying, ‘thank, you.’”
Forty sponsors of the seafood festival donated $500 and the event drew people from across the county. “I am proud of the support countywide,” the sheriff said.
For those the event helped, there was heartfelt appreciation as the checks were passed out.
“The sheriff is like Santa Claus,” said Doris Mack, who runs System of Care-Families Supporting Families in Roanoke Rapids. “He also helps keep our food pantry filled. He has certainly been good to System of Care-Families Supporting Families.”
Roanoke Rapids Mayor Pro Tem Carl Ferebee accepted a check which will be allocated to the budget for repairs to the Chaloner Recreation Center pool. “It’s been a struggle but we’re well on the way. I would like to thank Sheriff Wes Tripp for his continuous effort and giving back to the county and benefitting the children of Halifax County and including donating some funds toward the Chaloner pool renovation effort. It is highly appreciated.”
Kathleen Robinson’s Camp Save a Child through her Lighthouse Ministries was another recipient. “This donation. Oh, my God, it will help feed people, it will do a lot of things. Really this is like having a million bucks.”
Mildred Moore has run the Scotland Neck Education and Resource Foundation for 20 years, an after-school program which feeds children and provides them a safe haven. “It helps our program. Also, this will help us without having to do a lot of fundraising.”
The Roanoke Rapids Youth Baseball Association reaches some 350 to 400 children in Halifax and Northampton counties, its president, Todd Lockamon said. “It’s spent on the kids. We’ve been improving Ledgerwood Field for the last three years. Where our older kids play, we need a batting cage.”
Project Graduation at Roanoke Rapids High is another organization assisted by Saturday’s event.
It is an event which brings graduating seniors together after commencement, Cindy White said. “The kids really enjoy Project Graduation. This donation helps out.”
Chester Williams accepted a donation on behalf of the Halifax County Recreation Advisory Board. “Thank you for your donation,” he told the sheriff. “This definitely helps our grassroots advisory board.”
Michael Richardson and Chief Ogletree Richardson accepted a donation on behalf of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribal School.
Richardson, who serves as chair of the board of directors, said, “This will help our seniors in their senior projects this year.”

Lieutenant Charles Vaught said motive has not been established in the Friday night shooting, which occurred in the 200 block of Franklin Street around 9:45.
Two men were shot inside a vehicle, Chief Chuck Hasty said in a statement.
Officers learned the victims were shot while they were at a stop sign. A white vehicle pulled up behind them and shots were fired into the vehicle the victims were in.
Vaught said no further physical description of the suspects or a further description of their vehicle was immediately available.
The victims were transported to the hospital by EMS and then a trauma center for further treatment.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call Vaught at 252-533-2819 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Sunday calls

Around 3 p.m., Officer R. Cross responded to a domestic disturbance call in the 1300 block of Carolina Street.
During the investigation officers learned there was a custody dispute and Chavez Weaver, 24, of Roanoke Rapids, had an outstanding warrant for assault on a female.
Weaver was taken into custody on the warrant and Cross found him in possession of narcotics and paraphernalia.
Weaver was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and was served the outstanding warrant.
He was jailed without opportunity for bond on a domestic hold and received a May 19 court date.
Lieutenant P. Parks and officers J. Spragins and H. Grimes assisted.

Around 11 p.m., Officer A. Green conducted a traffic stop for a violation on East Tenth Street and Julian R. Allsbrook Highway.
The passenger, Donald Lee Yellorday, 40, of Roanoke Rapids, was found in possession of narcotics and had an outstanding warrant for communicating threats.
Yellorday was charged with possession of marijuana and served the outstanding warrant. He received a $300 bond and May 26 court date.
Sergeant M. Moseley and Master Officer G. Morris assisted.

“I feel honored I was nominated,” Davis said last week. “I appreciate the recognition for the work I’ve done and appreciate all the agencies that report.”
Davis is responsible for making sure all agencies in Halifax County report their data to the program, Weldon Deputy Chief James Avens said. He has been the coordinator for the past seven years, overseeing the reporting of checkpoints and different campaigns held throughout the county.
“I’m proud of him and his accomplishments and hard work as county coordinator,” said Avens. “He’s done a great job with that position.”

Macon said his resignation is effective May 1 and he has no immediate plans for a future career path.
“I haven’t decided if I’m going to keep my (law enforcement) certification. More than likely I probably will not be going to work for any other agency or municipality.”
Macon has been town administrator since 2015 and this September would have marked his 11th anniversary as police chief.
He said his decision to leave town government was not based on the expected hardship the closing of Roanoke Valley Power Facility will create for the town. “I have resigned for personal reasons. It has nothing to do with the town of Weldon or those associated with the town of Weldon.”
Macon did say, “It’ll be difficult to wake up on May 1 and not see the people I thoroughly enjoyed working with. I’m sure I’ll have some withdrawals but I’m sure my wife will keep me busy around the house. I’m going to spend more time with my family, concentrate on my wellness and concentrate on myself for a while.”
Macon said he hopes he is leaving the police department with core values which have been developed through his work and the work of the officers in the department. “We’ve got a full staff, great employees and good policies that will help the organization head to greatness.”
He says he would support Deputy Chief James Avens as chief of the department. “James is more than capable of being chief. He will have my full support.”
In his two years as town administrator, Macon said he was able to hire good employees and maintain retention of them. “In my first year we were able to implement a new personnel policy along with new pay schedules and grades and some internal overhauls. We completed two budgets that the town was able with good oversight and supervision to manage their budget. They didn’t go over it the last two years.”
Macon said he is appreciative of the support he has received during his tenure in the town. “I appreciate the elected officials and their support and just believing in me. Being police chief and transitioning into a dual role, I had a great supporting cast. I’m appreciative of the opportunities I had to develop and grow.”
As far as jumping into a another municipal government position, Macon said, “I just want to take time and enjoy my family and be more active in my church and be more successful.”

At the time he accepted a plea deal in February, the location of the sentencing had not been set.
He is scheduled to appear before District Judge Terrence W. Boyle at 10 a.m. on that date, a notice of hearing filed Monday confirms.
Motions to continue must be electronically filed by noon on May 3, the notice says.
At his February arraignment he entered a guilty plea on the first of the three counts lodged against him and the government agreed to dismiss counts 2 and 3.
Count 1 says on or about July 8, Coles did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce, a
firearm, in violation of United States Code.
The two counts which will be dismissed upon sentencing charged him with aiding and abetting another who made false and fictitious oral and written statements in his attempt to purchase a firearm from a pawn shop and that Coles made written deceptive statements on a federal firearms form.
Roanoke Rapids Police Department Investigator Chris Babb and the ATF investigated the pawn shop case which led to the federal indictments.
Coles was arrested in Hopewell, Virginia, on December 8 after a federal warrant for his arrest was issued in early November.

Investigators at the scene this morning declined comment but Sheriff Wes Tripp said in a statement Miranda Thacker of Valentines was found deceased.
Tripp said she has ties to the area.
Asked whether foul play or natural causes was suspected in her death, Tripp said, “Further investigation will determine the cause of death.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office at 252-583-8201 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

“They used to do a muddle day event years ago,” said Ryan Newsome, cultural resources leader for the city. “We wanted to recreate it.”
Newsome is hoping the Canal Festival, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the museum on Jackson Street Extension, will become an annual event and give the public a chance to tour the museum as well as the trail.
“People who use the trail may not have been in the facility and many people who use the trail may not realize the history behind it,” said Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Kelly Manning. “It will help people learn the history of the trail, Roanoke Rapids and the community they live in.”
There will be a 5K Rockfish Run starting at 10 a.m. The top 10 finishers will receive one-year free membership to Spartan Xfit on Roanoke Avenue. Registration is $25 and participants receive a free T-shirt. The run begins at the museum and goes to Roanoke Rapids Lake Dam and back. Registration information can be found by following this link.
Throughout the day Buddy High, dressed in period attire, will tell visitors about the batteau used to transport goods through the canal while Greg Wright will be serving Rockfish muddle samples, Newsome said.
Scott Hall will have a concession stand for barbecue sandwiches which will benefit the Roanoke Rapids Youth Baseball Association.
There will be a bounce house, rock wall and face-painting as well as a fish-tossing game using toy fish. There will be four divisions for those 15 and older and 14 and under. Prizes will be awarded to the top tossers, Newsome said.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission will be on hand as will the North Carolina Forest Service.
The Underground Railroad Committee will be at the event explaining the role the canal had in helping slaves escape to freedom.
Throughout the day the band Wild Country will perform.
Friends of the Canal will hold a raffle with a surprise grand prize; a one-year membership to Friends of the Canal and a signed Napoleon Hill print.
Manning credited the sponsors for making the event possible. “It really shows the community support here to the recreation department. We couldn’t do it without the sponsors. We had to have the sponsors to support us.”

The event will be held at Kirkwood Adams Civic Center on Hamilton Street.
There will be food for sale and a bounce house for children.
At 6 p.m. the events start with the survivor walk, caregiver walk and team walk.
At 6:45 p.m. the theme song, Lord, I Lift Your Name on High, will be performed.
From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Donald Casey will provide musical entertainment and from 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Vernon Futrell will perform.
The luminary ceremony begins at 9 p.m. and from 9:30 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. Lavontae Wilson will present line dancing.

Saturday schedule

8 a.m. — sunrise service by Annie Smith
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. — Tillery Chapel Baptist Church Praise and Dance Team
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.— Oak Grove Baptist Church Praise and Dance Team
11:30 a.m. — drawings
Noon — closing ceremony

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The crime occurred around 9:45 p.m. Police declined to disclose the name of the store or the general area where the business is located.
Anyone with information on the identification of the person in the photos is encouraged to contact law enforcement; the police department at 252-533-2810; Investigator G. Williams at 252-533-2821 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

The women will depart from the Hilton Garden Inn for the 170-mile run to Surf City at 8 a.m. on May 4.
Called the North Carolina Icebreaker Run, the women will speak openly about their stories and highlight causes for action.
The women participating in the run have been affected directly or through family members by depression, suicide, addiction, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health issues.

(More information may be found on the Team Inspire Facebook page)

The event was conceived by Team Inspire, a group of women in Hampstead who have grown together over the past few years into advocates for mental health issues, raising awareness through physical activities, sharing and connecting.
They include Dana Little, 52, who started training for her first marathon when she was 40 after best friend died from cancer. “When I crossed the finish line at the Walt Disney World Marathon, I was hooked. I’ve ran numerous marathons, triathlons and eventually ultra distance marathons in the past decade.
“At each event I leave with more than I brought to the start line. Running has always put me in the right place at the right time.”
Jessica Blackburn, 51, struggled with eating issues due to low self-esteem and anger. “My faith in God has pulled me through to where I am today. Am I complete, no? But by the grace of God I carry on. I have always enjoyed running, so when I started back in my late 40s I felt so free and alive.” Caryn Sutton, 38, is a Surf City resident who found running a form of therapy in the daily struggles of being a working mother with anxiety and daily tension.
Running became her outlet. “I would joke with my husband and instead of telling him I was going out for a run, I’d say I was heading to the shrink.”
Sutton is mother to a 7-year-old boy and over the past few years has ran four half-marathons, countless 5-10Ks, and several triathlons. “The Team Inspire group of amazing ladies has motivated me with continued strength, faith, passion and dedication. I know with every stride I take, I make a difference within myself and hope to inspire others.”
Hampstead resident Christine Whiteley’s family has been impacted by alcoholism, substance abuse, mental illness and suicide.
She has been trained in Mental First Aid, is an active member of several groups to support people who have lost loved ones to suicide, and recently attended a panel discussion on suicide awareness and prevention for LGBTQIA youth. "It is extremely difficult for me to talk about personal experiences. But I try to become knowledgeable and keep my hand out so if anybody needs to grasp it, I am ready."
Kim Martin, 31, of Wilmington, is the wife of one of the pioneers of the Icebreaker Run, Chris Martin.
Her father died of a heroin overdose after battling addiction his whole life.
Rebecca Moxey, 55, a Hampstead resident, is planning the event. She is a recovering alcoholic who has suffered anxiety and PTSD.
She grew up in a family filled with addiction, violence and suicide. She has adult children who have struggled with bipolar and addiction.
In the past year, she has found a purpose and passion in helping others find their road to recovery, as she did. “I found a new family last year with the Icebreaker Runners, Charlie Engle, Chris Martin and Pam Rickard. Defeat the Stigma Project believed in Team Inspire and challenged us to run across North Carolina. We are taking this challenge and using it for good work.
“These people who have recovered and went on to advocate for others through the Icebreaker Run, THP and Defeating the Stigma, have helped me be proud of how far I have come, no longer ashamed, and ready to help others find resources for recovery.”
The run will include a relay of some 10 runners, completing various segments as they cross the state.
The run ends on May 7 at Surf City’s Sound Side Park with a finish party from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said in a statement the autopsy of Miranda Thacker, 33, of Valentines, Virginia, was performed in Greenville today with detectives in attendance.
“We need the medical expertise of the pathologist to determine cause of death,” the sheriff said this evening. “In any of the cases we work, we need medical evidence that determines natural causes or foul play. We’re at the point in this investigation where the cause is undetermined.”
Pathologists plan to conduct more tests, the sheriff said, declining to elaborate.
Tripp Wednesday said Thacker has ties to the area.
Detectives continue to investigate the case, he said, and anyone with information is encouraged to call the sheriff’s office at 252-583-8201 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty said in a statement Kristopher Wayne Patterson surrendered to Investigator C. Babb around 3:15 p.m. and has a June 7 court date.
The 34-year-old Patterson faces charges of possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia, and maintaining a dwelling to keep a controlled substance.
His arrest is based on the execution of a search warrant in the 600 block of Williams Street on April 18. Patterson was not home at the time the search warrant was executed.
Application of the search warrant was based on complaints, police said last week.
Babb this morning described the operation as fairly sophisticated. He said the marijuana possession charge stems from the seizure of hash oil.
He said investigators seized grow lights, a grow tent with a reflective interior, planters, big plastic bins with drains, electrical ballasts, exhaust fans and manuals and DVDs on growing marijuana.
It was unclear how long the operation had been active, Babb said.
Hasty said this morning, “It’s just good investigative work on Babb’s part and through the assistance of the City County Drug Task Force.”
In 2011, the state dropped charges against Patterson after officers found an indoor grow operation at the Carolina Street residence where he lived at the time.
The court at the time granted a motion to suppress all evidence in the case and his defense attorneys believed officers didn’t have sufficient reason to enter the residence.

The main lobby at 250 Smith Church Road will be closed for approximately eight weeks.
During this time, the main lobby entrance and the circle drive in front of HRMC will be blocked off and closed.
Entrance during construction will be through the outpatient-patient entrance -- the covered entrance adjacent to the emergency-outpatient parking lot.
All patients and visitors should use the emergency-outpatient parking lot during this time.
During this time, HRMC has extended the hours of the courtesy shuttle to run from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.
Beginning Monday, the information desk will be temporarily relocated to the outpatient receiving area. The desk will continue to be staffed with volunteers to assist and direct patients, families and visitors.
The gift shop will be closed for the duration of the project and is scheduled to reopen upon its completion.

Officers located Frederick Carlton Mitchum, 49, at West Tenth near Rapids Street, Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty said in a statement.
Mitchum had outstanding warrants for his arrest and was charged with three counts of habitual larceny and three counts possession of stolen goods.
The habitual felony count carries a weight that should he be charged with larceny in the future it will be a felony count regardless of what is stolen, Hasty said.
Mitchum was arrested around 11 p.m. Monday.
The counts stem from an investigation by Officer O. Wiltsie into items taken from the Great Falls Shopping Center Food Lion several times in March.
He received a $15,000 bond and June 12 court date.

Traffic stop

On Wednesday around 10 p.m., Lieutenant P. Parks conducted a traffic stop for a violation on Julian R. Allsbrook Highway at Roanoke Avenue.
Leon Strickland III, 21, of Roanoke Rapids, was cited for operating a vehicle with no driver’s license.
Officer R. Cross’s dog Midas indicated on the vehicle and narcotics paraphernalia were found.
Brittany Alexis Holland, 19, of Roanoke Rapids, was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia. Amber Lee Rychwalski, 28, of Roanoke Rapids, was arrested and charged with possession of heroin and James Randall Todd Davis, 25, of Roanoke Rapids, was arrested for an outstanding order for arrest for larceny.
Strickland and Holland were released until their June 16 court dates.
Rychwalski received a $2,500 bond and May 31 court date.
Davis received a $1,000 bond and May 11 court date.
Master Officer A. Salmon and Officer H. grimes assisted.

Vehicle B&E arrest

On Thursday around 8:45 a.m., Lieutenant C.L. Vaught and investigators J.K. Davis and G.L. Williams located Terrence Jamaal Robinson, 21, of Roanoke Rapids, in the 100 block of Roanoke Avenue.
Robinson had outstanding warrants and was charged with breaking and entering a motor vehicle and possession of stolen goods.
He received a $10,000 bond and a May 3 court date.
The charges stem from an investigation by Vaught on April 22 after the victim reported their vehicle was broken into and items were taken from it.

Today’s arrests

Around midnight, Cross conducted a traffic stop for a violation in the 1000 block of Franklin Street.
Cross determined Matthew Wayne Pike, 22, of Clarksville, Tennessee, was wanted for a probation violation.
Pike was arrested and charged with being a fugitive of justice from the state of Tennessee.
He received a $50,000 bond and June 7 court date.
Officer J. Spragins assisted.

Around 12:15 a.m., Salmon responded to a disturbance call in the 1000 block of Vance Street.
He found Deshawn Shantee Williams, 30, of Scotland Neck, in the street causing a disturbance. After being told numerous times to calm down and leave, Williams was arrested.
Salmon arrested and charged Williams with intoxicated and disruptive behavior.
He received a $500 bond and a July 14 court date.
Spragins assisted.

Judge Ed Wilson of Rockingham County sentenced Maud Edwin Elliott Ingram of Henrico to three consecutive prison terms of 73 months to 148 months and consolidated the fourth count with the third.
That gave Ingram, who is now 51 and was 49 at the time he was charged by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, a sentence range of 18.25 years to 37 years.
Other charges initially filed against him were dropped and he will have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
Wilson declined to defer Ingram’s sentence, as requested by his attorney, Damian Tucker of Rocky Mount, so he could watch his son’s graduation ceremony next month and ordered him into immediate DPS custody.
Wilson commended the two victims in the case after their testimony in a sentencing hearing, telling them, “Hold your head high. Your work with the district attorney is something you should be proud of.”
The case stemmed from a complaint lodged by a victim who was on probation in Virginia but after her mother died moved to Roanoke Rapids for more affordable rent. She also had family ties in Halifax County, Chief Resource Prosecutor Kimberly N. Overton of the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys told the court.
Ingram was assigned to her supervision and also supervised her stepdaughter.
During the course of the supervision, the victim was raped seven times. “She was under constant pressure. She didn’t think anyone would believe her,” Overton told the court. “She was terrified. She felt there was no one she could trust and no one would believe her.”
Ingram hung the threat of returning her to prison over her head if she did not comply with his demands of sexual intercourse.
In September of 2015 she contacted the Chichester Law Firm in Roanoke Rapids “and shared with attorney Geoffrey Davis she was having problems with her probation officer.”
After the initial consultation with Davis, she met with both Davis and Gilbert Chichester.
Chichester contacted Captain Bobby Martin of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department. Chief Chuck Hasty contacted the SBI and a meeting was arranged at the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department.
There were inappropriate text messages sent and explicit photos taken during the course of the crimes.
The victim took one condom Ingram used, wrapped it in a tissue and put it in her freezer. “She asked to be assigned a different probation officer,” Overton said.
Ingram, who during the time was under review for poor performance, gave the victim money to pay her probation fee. “He gave her money to deceive and manipulate the system,” Overton said.
Ingram offered her $10,000 to not testify and $2,000 to her stepdaughter to broker the deal.
The victim was raped once at her first residence in Roanoke Rapids; twice at the probation office on Highway 301 between Weldon and Halifax; once at one of the area’s boat landings in the bed of Ingram’s truck; twice at a second residence the victim lived in Roanoke Rapids and a community building in the Henrico area.
Ingram would position her so he faced the window, Overton said. He wore his state-issued weapon.
On September 17, 2015, the SBI set up surveillance of the victim’s house on Mills Street in Roanoke Rapids, three agents staying in a back bedroom.
Ingram instructed the victim to sit on a couch and spread her legs so he could photograph her. “He told her the pictures were for collateral and for his purposes,” Overton said.
At that point SBI agents arrested him. The victim gave the SBI the condom in the freezer, which not only contained her DNA but Ingram’s, two tests showed. A subsequent search showed he had a condom easily accessible in his front left pocket.
The second victim in the case called an SBI hotline on September 21 of 2015 after seeing Ingram’s mugshot in the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald of Ahoskie. Ingram knew the second victim was using drugs and told her, “‘I can help you, you can help me.””
The Hertford County rapes occurred between April and September of 2012.
Two rapes occurred at her mother’s home in Winton and one at the probation office in Hertford County, also located in the county seat of Winton.
Overton presented the court evidence of text messages, audio transcripts of the surveillance, video footage and lab reports.
“He chose these victims at a time in their life they were both experiencing grief over the loss of their mothers and he was exercising control and abuse of his authority,” Overton said. “We feel justice was served and the community was protected. The victims had been sentenced to a life of trauma. He chose them because of the time over their heads. Instead of protecting them he just pounced on them.”

Both shared their testimony in the case of Maud Edwin Elliott Ingram, a former state probation officer who pled guilty to four counts of second-degree rape today and was swept away to prison to begin a sentence of at least 18 years.
The victims weren’t the only ones to testify. Ingram apologized and several of his supporters in the community took the stand to testify on his behalf.
“I didn’t feel safe in my own home,” said one victim, who was assigned Ingram after moving from Virginia to Roanoke Rapids. “He caused me unbearable pain. I had nowhere to go. I had depression and wouldn’t get out of bed. It got to the point I was running from him.”
There was a time in her life she liked to wear dresses. On a September day in 2015 Ingram was lifting up her skirt to take photos when he was arrested by North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation agents who were conducting surveillance in her Mills Street house. “I no longer have the desire to wear dresses. By the grace of God, I will survive this.”
Raped seven times by Ingram, which the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys said was an attempt to leverage prison time over her head, the victim said, “I felt threatened. It got to the point I didn’t want to call him.”
For Ingram’s Hertford County victim, who was raped by him in the summer of 2012, “I was broken, grief stricken.”
That grief came from the death of her mother, a former sergeant in the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office whose star she still wears.
Her death sent her spiraling back into addiction, she told the court. “Instead of helping me he kept me high.”
She said she didn’t understand how she was “held captive by her own probation officer.”
She sought a place that would take her in while on probation. She found what is now called Healing Transitions in Raleigh. “I cried for four days. I was finally able to grieve over the death of my mother.”
She turned to Ingram, who was seated with his attorney, and said, “Mr. Ingram, I trusted you to do your job. You kept me high.”
One of the last acts she said Ingram did was a place a campaign poster for his wife, state Senator Erica Smith-Ingram in her yard. “Did you ever care about what would happen to me?”
The victim said if had come forward first, “There would be no more victims … God says I have to forgive you. I’m working on that … May God bless you and keep you.”
Rockingham County Judge Ed Wilson, who presided over the court, told the women, “Hold your head high. Your work with the district attorney is something you should be proud of.”
Ingram, who at one point broke down seated at the defense table over the mention of lost family members said, “I apologize to the victims for my lack of communication. I apologize to my wife.”
He also offered apologies to his son, his brothers, other family members and clergy. “I asked God to forgive me and I apologize to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety … I asked God to to forgive me a long time ago. God have mercy on my soul.”
Before the victims and Ingram spoke in court, several people from community spoke on his behalf.
“He has a very supportive family, an exceptionally caring family,” said Bishop Wayne Welch of Cool Spring Missionary Baptist Church. “He made his high school years exemplary, both athletically and academically.”
A graduate of Elizabeth City State University, which he attended on a track and football scholarship, Welch said, “He avoided trouble.”
Welch said he would continue to support Ingram. “I’ve always been a supporter. I’ve never met anyone who’s perfect.”
Doris Watlington of the Henrico community called Ingram a “very low key” and calm person. “He spent time at my house. He was always in place when you needed him. He was always a caring man.”
Reverend Franklin Williams of Roanoke Chapel Missionary Church in Jackson called Ingram a great friend. “He was always a great source of support. At one point he worked at school as an assistant principal. He was hard-working. He loved his family. He is resilient, very strong and loyal. He’s a good man. After hearing what I heard today, that’s not the man I know.”
His aunt, Belinda Joyner, said her nephew was always conscious of what he did. When his youngest son died, she said, “He was on his knees by the bed. We had to pry him up.”
Asked by the judge her take on her nephew’s admission of guilt, Joyner said, “I can’t explain it. It’s totally beyond me.”

The carnival ends this coming Saturday.
On Saturday around 10:30 p.m., Chief Chuck Hasty said in a statement Lieutenant P. Parks was working off-duty when a disturbance broke out.
Daniela Donisha Rojo, 16, of Gaston, and Nyasia Ahmyl Rooks, 16, of Roanoke Rapids, were arrested and charged with simple affray.
Both were released to their parents pending their June 12 court dates.
Lieutenant C. Burnette, Sergeant M. Peck, Master Officer R. Ball and officers G. Colson, J. Mason and N. Velazquez assisted.
On Sunday night around 11:30 p.m., Ball was investigating suspicious activity at the event when he encountered Austin Michael Jernigan, 20, of Laurinburg.
Jernigan was found in possession of narcotics and arrested and charged for possession of marijuana.
He received a $500 bond and June 12 court date.

Friday report

At approximately 12:45 p.m., Master Officer G. Morris was investigating suspicious activity on Glover Street, when he encountered Stephanie Brook Barber, 27, of Gaston, and Crystal Jean Marie Saner, 28, of Roanoke Rapids.
Morris and his dog Champ discovered drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle they were in.
Both were cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and released until their court date on July 21.

Saturday report

At approximately 2 a.m., Mason investigated a report of an intoxicated person on an ATV at East Tenth Street near Park Avenue.
The driver of the ATV, later identified as William Eugene Edwards, 39, of Roanoke Rapids, led officers on a chase which ended near West Tenth Street and Bolling Road.
Officers arrested and charged Edwards with flee to elude arrest, reckless driving to endanger, possession of marijuana, driving while impaired, driving while license revoked, failing to stop for a sign/light, no insurance, and injury to property, which occurred when a large plant belonging to a business was damaged.
Edwards received a $750 bond and May 5 court date.
Peck, Ball, Colson and Velazquez assisted.