Fifteen years, eight months....

We received the following press release today from the US Attorney: 

United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court on Friday, January 11, 2013, United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced DALE CABINESS, 55, of Greenville, North Carolina, to 188 months imprisonment followed by 6 years supervised release. 

     A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on March 14, 2012, charging CABINESS with violations of federal narcotics laws.  CABINESS entered a guilty plea on August 14, 2012, to the distribution of quantities of heroin.

     According to evidence presented in Court, the Greenville Regional Drug Task Force used a confidential informant to purchase heroin from CABINESS four times between December 1, 2011, and February 23, 2012.  The investigation revealed that CABINESS was responsible for the distribution of 840 grams of heroin between September 2011 and April 2012.  

     CABINESS received an enhanced sentenced based on his status as a Career Offender. 

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Greenville  Regional Drug Task Force consisting of the Greenville Police Department, Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, Farmville Police Department, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The prosecution was handled by Special Assistant United States Attorneys Glenn Perry.  Mr. Perry is a prosecutor with the Pitt County District Attorney’s Office.  Pitt County District Attorney Clark Everett has assigned Mr. Perry to the United States Attorney’s Office to prosecute federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force criminal matters.  Mr. Perry’s assignment to the United States Attorney’s Office has been made possible by grants funded by the Governor’s Crime Commission.

This is real...

On Thursday January 10, 2013 Greenville Police officers stopped a car on Colonial Avenue for a traffic violation.  The driver of the car told officers he did not have to follow State laws or obtain any type of license to drive his car.  The man also questioned police about their authority to stop him.  The man was arrested and charged with No Operators License, and Resisting Arrest.

This behavior is typical of someone who adopts the philosophy of being a "sovereign citizen," and it seems to be a growing trend across the nation.  It is a trend that is being seen more and more in Eastern NC, too.

People following this movement maintain that government has no authority to tax them, to issue licenses, set laws, or do many of the thing governments normally do.  They do not recognize or accept the authority of the Federal Government, and often do not accept authority of State governments.  Typically, the only law enforcement they will recognize is an elected County Sheriff.

For the most part,  these people were not a major concern for law enforcement. Other than being difficult to work with, or being nuisances, they were generally considered to be harmless.   But a few years ago (May 2010), 2 men who considered themselves as Sovereign Citizens, shot and killed 2 West Memphis, TN Police officers during a traffic stop.  The 2 Sovereigns were later killed during a gun battle with other police officers following a car chase.

That incident put the Sovereign Citizen movement on the front page of law enforcement.

The Sovereign Citizen Movement has roots that go back decades.  

Here are some Web Links that will teach you more:  

                Sovereign Citizen Brief Lessons

                More Sovereign Citizen Lessons

Go ahead and run...

On Monday January 7, at about 1:28 pm, Greenville Police Officers responded to Radio Shack at the Greenville Mall in reference to 2 men who were attempting to buy computers using a stolen or fraudulent credit card.

Officer T.M. Hindes tried to detain one suspect near the food court area, and a foot chase ensued.  APO J.H. Brown and Officer Hindes chased the suspect across the mall parking lot and toward Arlington Village.  They was assisted by Sgt. K.L. Hadnott, who intercepted the suspect near BW3’s Restaurant.

While that foot chase was taking place, Cpl. C.L. Wormell was in foot pursuit with the second suspect, running across Greenville Blvd.  That suspect was captured near the intersection of Greenville Blvd, & Arlington Blvd.

Both suspects were arrested.   Further investigation by detectives from the Financial Crimes Unit found these suspects in possession of multiple fraudulent credit and debit cards.

Craig Gause was charged with 6 counts of Financial Card Forgery, and 1 count  each of Possession of Counterfeit Instruments, and Obtaining Property by False Pretenses.  Nathaniel Gunter was charged 1 count each of Possession & Manufacture of Fraudulent ID, and Obtaining Property by False Pretense.

The case is still under investigation and additional charges are possible. 

Hats off to the A-Platoon officers for bringing their track shoes to work on Monday!

fair warning...

In response to a rise in gun violence during the past month, the Greenville Police Department last night implemented a Violence Reduction Plan in targeted neighborhoods.

This plan involves both short-term, high intensity patrol & enforcement efforts and long-term strategic investigative efforts.  The short term solution is intended to suppress criminal activity immediately.  It began on Thursday night and will continue around the clock through the next several weeks.  During this phase,  patrol officers will be stationed in the targeted neighborhoods and will be aggressively patrolling and conducting field interviews and enforcement.

The long-term investigative strategy involves the use of local, state, and federal resources and will focus on organized crime, gun, and drug case investigations with the hopeful outcome being federal prosecution and conviction.   These types of cases are long-term, but they produce permanent and substantial results.

Last night, patrol officers in the targeted neighborhood of Westgate stopped 9 people and completed field interviews and citations on them.  One of those persons stopped was a convicted murderer.

Violence reduction strategies are not just about solving one crime, but also about preventing others.  Putting officers on the ground where violence occurs and where analysis predicts it will occur, sends a message to would-be offenders:  The Police are coming after you, and you will be held accountable.

Dirty diapers...

On the night after Christmas, 2 suspects drove their car through the Walmart parking lot, and the passenger reached out through the window to grab a woman's purse off her shoulder as she was walking.  The woman was knocked to the ground as the suspects sped away.

Less than 30 minutes later, the 2 suspects were seen on surveillance videos buying diapers and other items at the Family Dollar Store on Easy Street in Greenville.

Considering their purchase, and how they obtained the means to make it, one has to wonder what kind of parents these suspects are, and how they are raising their baby.

Social Services, already bursting at the seams with casework, will face yet another case when these deadbeat parents are identified and arrested.

Law enforcement is working hard to reduce crime, not just through everyday enforcement, but through strategic services such as the Police Athletic League and other Crime Prevention activities.  These strategies are trying to reach the next generation.  But when mom and dad are robbing people,...well that does make it difficult for the police...and in this case it gives a whole new meaning to "dirty diapers." 

Here is the surveillance video:   Dirty Diapers

Remember them fondly...

News Years Eve is here and many of us will have a toast of cheer to celebrate the beginning of 2013.   As the last strains of Auld Lange Syne fade after midnight,  please don't let your celebrations get out of hand.

According to the NC Governor's Highway Safety Program, about 3 out of every 10 people in America are involved in an alcohol-related crash at some point in their life, and drunk drivers kill somebody every hour of every day across this country.

In North Carolina,  the 'BOOZE IT and LOSE IT' enforcement campaign will be in full swing throughout the New Year Holiday.   The Greenville Police Department is a very active participant in that life-saving enforcement effort.  Drivers can expect to see enforcement activities all around the City.

Here are some facts about the Driving While Impaired (DWI) law in NC:

• Imposes a $10,000 maximum fine for DWI offenses.  A conviction means an automatic license revocation for 1 year,  along with at least 24 hours imprisonment and 24 hours of community service.
• Imposes a 30-day administrative driver license revocation for persons who refuse to take the alcohol or drug test requested by an officer, or who have a 0.08 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) or 0.01 BAC if underage 21.
• Allows vehicle seizure and forfeiture for a driver who is impaired and whose license is revoked for DWI, or who is impaired and has no license and no insurance.
• Even if you refuse to take an alcohol test, the arresting officer is still entitled to take a blood sample from you.
• Besides the fines and imprisonment, your car insurance rates may go up as much as 400%, and attorney costs may exceed $4,000 or more.

Old times and old friends should not be forgotten, but remembered fondly and with love.  How sad it would be to have to remember them as being arrested, injured, or killed as a result of drunk driving.  

So, Please don't drink and drive.  

Happy New Year, everyone.

Green turkey and no gravy...

This past weekend our patrol officers on D Platoon conducted Operation GREEN TURKEY.  This was an effort to serve outstanding arrest warrants on as many offenders as possible in order to get them off the street, and make our City's Christmas safer.

Over the course of the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday,  GPD patrol officers located and arrested more than 30 offenders and wanted persons.  They were able to do this in between their regular duties, calls for service, responses to car crashes, and other calls..and it demonstrates a real dedication to our community.

Lt. White, Sgt. Liverman, and all the officers of D Platoon deserve a special thank you for their efforts.   Hopefully, their hard work will help keep Greenville safe for the holidays. 

Incidentally, the name GREEN TURKEY is a reference to the prison food these offenders will eat instead of the home-cooked meals made by mama.    And while they are in jail, they will not have an opportunity to victimize others.

Happy Holidays, everyone!