Latest news with #ClevelandCountySheriff'sOffice
Miami Herald
31-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Cop framed NC woman in 2005 robberies, bomb threats, judge rules. Now she sues
An innocent woman implicated in a string of bank robberies and fake bomb threats 15 years after the crimes is suing the deputy who built the case against her, after a North Carolina judge ruled he framed her in violation of her constitutional rights. Criminal charges against Jodi Blanton were dismissed May 18, 2024, by Superior Court Judge J. Lynn Gullett, who wrote in an order that Carl Duncan, a cold case detective with the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, lied and faked evidence to support her arrest in May 2020 after the 'State previously declined to prosecute (her) on two separate occasions.' Gullett's ruling says Duncan has a 'propensity to stretch, omit and falsify the truth when preparing investigative summaries and/or sworn applications for search warrants.' In 2018, after the sheriff's office hired him, Duncan reopened the investigation into the 2005 robberies and bomb threats, which he initially investigated as a former Shelby police officer, according a federal lawsuit filed by Blanton against Duncan on July 28. The filing says 'in the course of his re-investigation, Duncan uncovered no evidence linking Jodi Blanton' to the robberies or threats. Duncan and the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office did not immediately return McClatchy News' requests for comment July 17. 'This has been a nightmare,' Blanton, who lives in Cleveland County, told McClatchy News on July 31. 'My strong Christian faith, my husband of 37 years, my son and my close family and friends helped me manage through this horrible experience that still haunts me daily,' Blanton added. Duncan, according to a complaint, misled two judges into issuing search warrants, leading to two illegal searches of Blanton's home, where she lived with her husband Robert 'Bobby' Blanton, in February 2019. Afterward, he is further accused of misleading a district attorney into pursuing her prosecution. During one search, the complaint says the Blantons' dog Briley, a 12-pound terrier, 'was severely injured by officers.' Briley was 'forcefully restrained as others conducted the search and seized property,' Jodi Blanton's legal counsel, from Charlotte-based law firm Pfeiffer Rudolf, wrote in the filing. Sonya Pfeiffer, one of the attorneys, told McClatchy News on July 31 that Briley was left with broken blood vessels in her eyes, as well as bruising on her stomach and under her legs. 'Jodi's father was present and witnessed them drag Briley with a noose around her neck,' Pfeiffer said via email. 'She was hauled downstairs with her legs dangling which bruised under her legs.' Two photos Pfeiffer shared of Briley, showing the dog's injuries, were reviewed by McClatchy News. When the sheriff's office's cold case unit announced Jodi Blanton's 2020 arrest, they said she robbed the First National Bank in Shelby in June 2005, Alliance Bank in Shelby in November 2005 and the BB&T Bank in Fallston in August of that year, The Shelby Star newspaper reported. The agency further accused her of making a bomb threat over the phone to a Harris Teeter in Shelby, while the First National Bank robbery was underway, and another bomb threat against Burns Middle School in Lawndale the day the BB&T bank was robbed, according to the newspaper. The sheriff's office suggested Jodi Blanton tried distracting Cleveland County authorities with the bomb threats to carry out the robberies. 'After discovering some new evidence, Blanton was charged,' the newspaper reported May 28, 2020. 'The Sheriff's Office did not disclose what the new piece of evidence was.' In his sworn affidavits, according to the complaint, Duncan left out exculpatory evidence, including how the Harris Teeter bomb threat was linked to a phone number unrelated to Jodi Blanton. Duncan also never mentioned that when the First National Bank was robbed that day, witnesses' descriptions of the suspect, who they said was Black, did not match Jodi Blanton's appearance, the complaint says. In Gullett's May 2024 order, the judge wrote that following the November 2005 Alliance Bank robbery, a bank teller said the accused robber wore a mask, had 'blonde curly hair and was wearing 'lots of makeup.'' '(The teller) indicated that the robber reminded her of someone that she knew by the name of Jodi Blanton, but she could not make a positive identification of Jodi Blanton,' Gullett wrote in the order. Despite a lack of evidence and prosecutors previously declining to charge Jodi Blanton, she was arrested on felony charges related to the robberies and two counts of issuing a false bomb threat, according to the lawsuit. Pfeiffer told McClatchy News that 'the Blantons are baffled as to why Duncan was so fixated on Jodi.' In the May 2024 order, Gullett found 'Detective Duncan's negligence in failing to preserve evidence, coupled with intentional misrepresentations as to material facts in investigative summaries presented to the District Attorney, and his inclusion of material falsehoods in sworn statements in search warrants, has collectively caused actual prejudice to (Blanton).' It is unclear if the 2005 robberies and bomb threats have been solved. Jodi Blanton is suing Duncan on three federal claims under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment violations, including: fabrication of evidence and use of false evidenceunlawful search without probable causeunlawful seizure without probable cause/malicious prosecution She is bringing three state claims – malicious prosecution, gross negligence/recklessness and intentional infliction of emotional distress – against Duncan. 'For over 20 years, I have watched with shock and a sense of helplessness as my wife and family have lived in isolation, wrestling with fear and humiliation for being wrongly accused,' Bobby Blanton said in a statement to McClatchy News. 'By the Grace of God and love for one another we have managed to endure. But it has been almost indescribably difficult.' Jodi Blanton wants accountability and an unspecified amount in damages in the lawsuit. She demands a jury trial. 'I work daily on forgiveness, but justice and accountability matter to me and my family, and I pray nothing like this happens to anyone else,' she said.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cleveland County Sheriff says no layoffs needed despite lower budget approval
CLEVELAND COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) – The Cleveland County Budget Board approved next year's fiscal budget on Thursday, and the main complaint came from the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office. 'I've got dedicated staff that we're going to make sure that the areas that we cut are not going to be personnel areas. Will there be services affected? Absolutely. But, it's not going to be the services that are going to affect public safety,' said Cleveland County Sheriff Chris Amason. The board ended up approving $11,418,384 from the General Fund, the Cleveland County Commission said that will be split between the Sheriff and the Detention Center. According to their numbers, the Sheriff was approved for $4,018,384 while he listed the needs to be $11,503,645.46. The commission approved $7,400,000 for the Detention Center, while the Sheriff had requested $14,814,813.22. 'Forcing me to spend every dime that I have coming in through appropriations, which is fine. You know, I don't mind spending that money. What I have a problem with is not having a reserve at the end of the year to carry over for expenses that come up,' said Sheriff Amason. It's no secret that there have been budgeting issues for several years now surrounding the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office (CCSO). State Auditor releases report on Cleveland County Sheriff's Office budget A state audit released earlier this year found that CCSO overspent a lot of money. It stated that over 300 times, CCSO may have violated purchasing laws. It reported that CCSO attended 24 out-of-state conferences, and that they used taxpayer dollars on high-priced meals, games, and DoorDash. It also reported that retroactive raises were given to 28 employees while facing payroll challenges, cutting detention staff by 45% in the process. 'That was over stuff that happened two years ago. And, you know, could we do things better? Absolutely. And we have changed procedures. We have made all of the corrections. And this current fiscal year is proof of that,' said Sheriff Amason. Last year, CCSO had to lay off dozens of employees after it was found that it didn't have the budget to pay them. 'We came in even after having to lay off 30 employees, we still came in under budget. So, just barely. But we did. You know, we've still got great employees that are out there providing the best service that they can to our public,' said Sheriff Amason. Looking to the future, having that $14 million or so. Are there going to be future layoffs with this amount of money? It feels similar to the situation y'all had last year? 'It is, but we have dedicated staff that we're going to make sure that the areas that we cut are not going to be personnel areas,' said Sheriff Amason. 'We're going to make sure that, you know, I've got employees here now that are doing the job of two or three people because of these budget cuts. They deserve to be compensated and to have proper staffing. So, you know, they're not having to carry this extra burden. I just want to thank my employees, I see you. I appreciate what you're doing and the dedication you're showing. I'm going to stand behind you and I'm not going to let you down,' said Sheriff Amason. The Cleveland County Commissioner and Chairman of the Cleveland County Budget Board, Rod Cleveland, provided the following statement: The Cleveland County Budget Board is funding all the essential services that keep our community safe and functioning. The approved budget covers all the core public safety needs of the Sheriff's Office and the Cleveland County Detention Center. In addition, we have allocated money through Building Maintenance and IT to go toward capital requests from the Sheriff's Office. The State Audit into the Sheriff's Office points to a history of 'poor budgetary practices.' We have a duty to our Cleveland County residents to safeguard taxpayer dollars and ensure that their money is being spent responsibly, so we allocated those funds to other departments while earmarking them for the Sheriff's capital projects. While we understand that tensions can run high during the budget process, the public needs to know our decisions are made with fiscal responsibility and the best interest of the citizens in mind. Cleveland County Commissioner and Chairman of the Cleveland County Budget Board, Rod Cleveland Approved Cleveland County Budget 2025 – 2026 Download Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Failure all the way around': Oklahoma County DA not filing charges after K9 died in hot car
Oklahoma County District Attorney has declined to file charges after a Cleveland County K9 officer died of heat complications in 2024. According to the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, K9 Officer Dolar died on Sept. 19, 2024, while at a training session. Dolar, a Labrador retriever, was 3 years old when he joined the department in 2020 and worked with his handler at the Cleveland County Detention Center detecting narcotics. 'We are devastated by the loss of K9 Dolar,' said Sheriff Chris Amason at the time. 'Not only was he a remarkable working dog, but he was also a beloved member of our family. His contributions to our department and the community will never be forgotten.' The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation led the inquiry, and the Oklahoma County District Attorney's office carefully examined emails, photos, interviews and reports provided by OSBI to determine if charges should be brought. According to Oklahoma County DA Vicki Zemp Behenna, the vehicle Dolar was assigned to was not set up as a canine unit, did not have a built-in kennel or heat alarm system. In addition to the ill-equipped car, it was found that the vehicle had air conditioning issues, as it would stop blowing cold air when idling. This was known at the time of Dolar's death. "This was a failure all the way around," Behenna said in a press release. "...The vehicle that was properly equipped as a K9 unit was removed from Dolar's handler a month prior to Dolar's death. That vehicle was used as a pool car when another handler's vehicle was repaired. These were all contributing factors that led to Dolar's death." According to Oklahoma Drug Dog Standards and Guidelines, all vehicles used to transport police dogs should be equipped with a heat sensor monitoring device. "The unfortunate death of Dolar could have been prevented with the issuance of proper equipment to the deputy," Behenna said. "I hope moving forward that all Cleveland County Sheriff's Office K9 handlers are provided the appropriate vehicle and equipment to keep the K9 Officers safe and avoid another death like Dolar's." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma County DA not filing charges over K9 death in hot car
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
25 years later, reward raised to $75,000 in disappearance of Asha Degree
SHELBY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — As we approach National Missing Children's Day, the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office announced an update in the long-running Asha Degree case. The reward for information leading to answers in her 2000 disappearance has been raised to a combined $75,000. Asha Degree was just 9 years old when she vanished from her home in Shelby on Valentine's Day 2000. Now, 25 years later, investigators said they are making 'significant progress' thanks to advances in forensic technology and renewed public attention. 'We recently retested evidence using new advancements in technology and continue to make significant progress,' the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office shared in a statement Friday. 'To highlight our ongoing search to find Asha, the combined reward was raised to $75,000. Take a moment today to pray for Asha, her family, our investigative team, and our community.' The increased reward follows recent searches tied to properties previously owned by Roy Dedmon, a name that has surfaced multiple times in this decades-long investigation. In April, investigators, including agents from the FBI and State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), searched an old, abandoned schoolhouse at the intersection of Highway 274 and NC-182 in Lincoln County. Property records confirm Dedmon owned the site from 1991 to 2004. While authorities have not disclosed what, if anything, was found, past search warrants suggest that investigators believe Asha was killed, her death hidden, and her body has never been recovered. Searches also took place last September on properties owned by Roy and Connie Dedmon in Cleveland County. Investigators said at the time that they believed the Dedmons may have helped conceal Asha's death. An attorney for Roy Dedmon has denied any involvement in the case. Earlier this year, newly released search warrants revealed text messages from the Dedmons' daughter that included what detectives referred to as 'a possible admission of guilt.' Witnesses reported seeing Asha walking along NC Highway 182 early on the morning of her disappearance and entering a green 1970s Lincoln Thunderbird. Despite years of searches, interviews, and forensic efforts, her fate remains unknown. The girl who came to be known as 'Shelby's Sweetheart' has never been far from the community's mind. Tips can be submitted by contacting the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office at 704-484-4822, the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, or online at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Reward increases in Asha Degree case 25 years after her disappearance
Authorities announced on Friday that the combined reward in the ongoing search for Asha Degree is now $75,000. READ MORE: 25 years after Asha Degree's disappearance impacted the Shelby community, family prays for answers Detectives believe that she was abducted after leaving her Shelby home on Valentine's Day in 2000. She was nine-years old at the time. Investigators found her book bag and an undershirt in a trash bag in Burke County a year later. PREVIOUS COVERAGE Investigators believe Asha Degree was killed and concealed, new warrants reveal It's been 24 years since the disappearance of Asha Degree Attorney: Dead person may hold key to 'circumstances of Asha Degree's disappearance' Retired FBI agent haunted by Asha Degree case There was a break in the case in September 2024 when investigators identified two suspects and found new evidence. They executed a search warrant on Cherryville Road on one of the properties of Roy and Connie Dedmon. The search warrant also stated that Asha was a victim of homicide, and her body was concealed. The Dedmons have not been talking and their lawyer says they are innocent. In 2024, the reward was $45,000. 'We recently retested evidence using new advancements in technology and continue to make significant progress,' officials said. If you have information and have not spoken to investigators, call the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office at 704-484-4822, the FBI at 1-800-CALL FBI or VIDEO: Neighbors highlight new search for Asha Degree
