Latest news with #ViolentCrimeActionPlan
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Elizabeth City man receives 78-month sentence for fentanyl possession
The video above is from an Aug. 2024 report about a new crime initiative during which the suspect in the case below was indicted. ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (WAVY) – An Elizabeth City man will spend 6 1/2 years in prison on fentanyl charges he received after leading law enforcement on a pursuit. Rashawn Baum, 29, was sentenced on May 22 on charges of possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. He pleaded guilty in February. According to court records, officers with North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement and Elizabeth City Police tried to pull Baum over after witnessing him speeding, but he refused to stop. During a short pursuit, Baum's vehicle crashed into two other cars before eventually coming to a stop. Baum and a passenger got out of the vehicle and started to run, but were quickly caught. Law enforcement searched Baum's vehicle and found a green Crown Royal bag that contained a substance later confirmed to be about an ounce of fentanyl. They also recovered a .357 semi-automatic pistol. While imposing the sentence, U.S. District Court Judge James C. Dever, III said 'fentanyl is destroying thousands of lives.' Elizabeth City Chief of Police Eddie Graham added that 'drugs ruin people's lives, break up families, and have a disastrous effect on our community.' Chief Graham said this 'will no longer be tolerated.' Baum's 78-month sentence will begin after he finishes an unrelated state sentence in 2031. New multi-agency strategy leads to 21 arrests in northeast North Carolina for violent crimes According to a previous news release, Baum is a member of the Blood Gang. Last August, WAVY reported that Baum was among 21 people indicted as part of a recently launched Violent Crime Action Plan, which is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, sheriffs of at least eight counties surrounding the Albemarle Sound, city and town police chiefs and other state and federal law enforcement agencies. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Yahoo
Raleigh city officials announce new chief of police
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The City of Raleigh has announced its newest chief of police for the Raleigh Police Department. Rico Boyce, the deputy of administration for Raleigh police, was named the new 31st chief of police Friday afternoon by City of Raleigh Manager Marchell Adams-David. 'We are pleased to announce that our national search process has identified someone who has served Raleigh for more than two decades as our next Chief of Police. Rico Boyce has demonstrated that he knows how to effectively work with the community, and our process demonstrated the trust the community and the police department have in him,' Adams-David said. PREVIOUSLY: Raleigh police chief announces retirement after 3 years on the job As police chief, Boyce will lead the department in more than 900 personnel with 792 sworn officer positions. He takes over leadership of the federal Public Safety Partnership efforts and the Violent Crime Action Plan with federal and law enforcement partners. One of his first goals as chief of police is to enhance relationships, trust and engagement with the community and create a level of transparency to keep Raleigh safe. 'I would like to begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to my family for their unwavering support throughout my entire career with the Raleigh Police Department. I am deeply thankful to City Manager Marchell Adams-David for the incredible opportunity to finish my career as the Raleigh chief of police,' Boyce said, 'It is truly an honor, and I am excited to continue serving the greatest officers in the world while building lasting relationships with our amazing community members. I am grateful for Chief Patterson's mentorship and guidance, and I look forward to building upon the remarkable work she has done as chief.' Rick Armstrong, the vice President of Teamsters Local 391 which represents officers, said his members made it clear they wanted Boyce to be the next chief. He still remembers Boyce's early years with the department. 'I was on when he was hired,' Armstrong said. 'I remember distinctly him working as a School Resource Officer in the Southeast District, Southeast High School, I believe. I remember him being very committed and dedicated to the job.' CBS 17 asked Armstrong what he thinks Boyce's biggest challenge will be in his new job, Armstrong said, 'Like [Boyce] said in the interview, recruitment and retention has been the number one challenge for Chief Patterson. I think it's going to continue to be a challenge for Chief Boyce.' When it comes to recruitment and retention, Armstrong hopes implementing recommendations from a city wide salary study that's underway will help. Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell said the city will have that information in March. Cowell also said she's excited to work alongside the new chief. 'In my first few months as mayor, I've gotten to interact a lot with Chief Boyce,' she said. 'He's incredibly positive. I have gotten so many emails from folks saying we love Chief Boyce, we think he'd be amazing.' Boyce began his law enforcement career nearly 25 years ago becoming a part of the Raleigh Police Department's 76th Police Academy. As the previous deputy police chief of administration, Boyce oversaw administrative services and internal affairs, according to the City of Raleigh. Boyce will bring a deep familiarity with Raleigh to his role. After three years as a patrol officer, he served as a school resource officer and later moved to the Gang Suppression Unit. He later earned ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, watch commander and then captain in the Southeast District. Boyce is also a member of several professional and civic organizations such as N.O.B.L.E. (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives), the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and several others. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina Central University and a master's degree in Business Administration from Pfeiffer University. Boyce will begin his duties as police chief on March 1 and will be sworn in as Raleigh's 31st police chief later in the month, according to city officials. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
31-01-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
US Attorney for the Wilmington area announces resignation
AI-assisted summary Michael Easley Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, will resign effective February 3rd. Easley cited a desire to keep politics out of the office and hopes his successor will be an experienced federal prosecutor. Easley was appointed by President Biden in 2021 and confirmed unanimously by the Senate. U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Michael Easley Jr. has announced his resignation and step down from the position on Monday, Feb. 3. 'It has been the highest honor to serve as the top federal law enforcement official for Eastern North Carolina – a place I was born, raised, and am proud to call home,' Easley said in his departure announcement released Wednesday. Easley was nominated for the position by President Joe Biden in September 2021 and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate that same year. Prior coverage:Amid shaky future, top US attorney outlines Wilmington's major crime issues The U.S. Attorney recently spoke with the StarNews about his uncertain future, noting a new candidate would likely be nominated to fill his role following the inauguration of President Donald Trump. 'The men and women of the Eastern District are among the hardest working in the nation – steadfast in the mission to keep America safe. Together, we helped drive down violent crime, turbocharged white-collar prosecutions, protected civil rights, and stemmed the tide of narcotics into our communities," Easley said in the announcement, highlighting his appreciation for prosecutors, judges and law enforcement. As part of his departure announcement, Easley highlighted is achievements in reducing violent crime, dismantling drug trafficking operations, combating the fentanyl epidemic, expanding civil rights enforcement, protecting national security and addressing a rise in white-collar fraud. Easley cited the significance of shoulder-to-shoulder partnerships between local, state and federal law enforcement. During his tenure, Easley and his team led the launch of the Violent Crime Action Plan, initiated Overdose Death Investigation Trainings for law enforcement officers, established an Illicit Finance Task Force, and more. "When you see overdose deaths on the decline, violent crime on the decline, homicides down, all of those things add up to me being ... completely at peace that a transition may be coming," Easley previously told the StarNews. "I'm just proud and I'm really excited for whoever gets to have this job after me." Related coverage:Man pleads guilty to discharging pollutants into Cape Fear River Looking to the future, the U.S. Attorney previously said he hoped an experienced federal prosecutor would succeed him, adding one clear piece of advice: keeping politics out. "I come from a political family ... but not for one minute have I brought politics into this job," Easley said. "You want somebody who's going to focus on the mission and the people and making eastern North Carolina a safer place and not let politics get anywhere near this job." Prior to his appointment as U.S. Attorney, Easley was a partner at a large international law firm focused on internal investigations and trial court work in state and federal courts, according to the announcement. Hailing from Southport, Easley is the son of former Gov. and Brunswick County District Attorney Michael Easley Sr., and the state's former First Lady, Mary Easley, who also served as an assistant district attorney for New Hanover and Pender counties. When previously asked about his next steps, Easley said he wasn't entirely sure but emphasized his love for serving the residents of his district.
