CMPD Cracks Down on Internet-Based Prostitution

 

From The Charlotte Observer By Cameron Steele, April 26, 2013

Three Charlotte men face prostitution solicitation charges for arranging to meet undercover Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers for sex.

The police department’s Vice and Narcotics Unit made the arrests Wednesday after an undercover operation designed to target a growing trend of crimes associated with Internet-based prostitution in the Charlotte-area.

Jefferson Dill, 46, and Earon Drake, 32, were arrested for soliciting a crime against nature. A third man, 29-year-old Ameer Brown, was charged with solicitation of a prostitute in the undercover sting.

Ameer Brown

Earon Drake

Jefferson Dill

So far this year the department has investigated four robberies linked to sexual encounters that have been arranged through backpage.com, a website for advertising services.

In 2012, detectives tied eight robberies to meetings solicited on backpage.com.

“And that doesn’t even account for all of the ones that go unreported because of the stigma attached,” CMPD spokesman Rob Tufano said.

The Internet has become a popular place for sex traffickers, pimps and prostitutes to advertise, because it’s cheap and anonymous, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office told the Observer in January.

“And there are fewer ways for the so-called pimps to get caught,” spokeswoman Lia Bantavani said.

In January, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police arrested a man and woman for allegedly using backpage.com to lure a Gastonia man to the Relax Inn at 6246 N. Tryon St. for sex, records show.

When the man showed up, the suspects robbed him at gunpoint and stole his clothing.

David Hopper, 19, and Alexis Fraley, 16, were charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Police said Friday they will continue targeting Internet-based prostitution in the coming months.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/04/26/4006820/cmpd-cracks-down-on-internet-based.html#storylink=cpy

Missing 65-Year-Old Charlotte Man Found Dead in Tennessee

 

From The Charlotte Observer By Cameron Steele, April 26, 2013

A missing 65-year-old Charlotte man last seen a week ago was found dead in Tennessee Friday, his step-daughter said.

Authorities told John Greene’s family they found his car wrecked off a road in Roan Mountain State Park, just across the North Carolina-Tennessee border. Greene’s body was found near the car, step-daughter Leigh Allen said.

She said police did not suspect foul play.

Green was last seen a week ago on Fairlawn Crescent Court, off Carmel Road in southeast Charlotte. But a family member says surveillance video showed him pumping gas at 10:30 a.m. last Friday at a Walmart in Spruce Pine, in the North Carolina mountains.

Family members said Greene had been without his heart medication for nearly a week.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police and other state agencies assisted in the search for the man.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/04/26/4006896/missing-charlotte-65-year-old.html#storylink=cpy

5 Shot at House Party in East Charlotte

 

From The Charlotte Observer By April Bethea, April 27, 2013

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say one man suffered life-threatening injuries, and four others were hurt, after a shooting early Saturday at a house party in east Charlotte.

Police have not yet announced any arrests nor described any suspects in the shooting, which reported around 2:45 a.m. at a home in the 7300 block of William Reynolds Drive.

But police said they believe the incident happened after “some type of disturbance” in the front yard among guests at the party. Officers found five male victims who had been shot.

One man was taken to Carolinas Medical Center with what were described as life-threatening injuries. The other four victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to CMC and CMC-University. The names and ages of the victims were not immediately available, nor their latest conditions.

Several hours after the shooting, a birthday balloon was still strung on a street sign at the corner where the two-story home stands. Meanwhile, bullet holes were visible near the front door and on the porch frame.

Lisa Williams, who lives across the street from the home where the shooting happened, said she heard music from the party when she returned home around 11 p.m. Friday. She said she went to bed, but woke up a few hours later when she heard “a lot of ruckus” outside.

Williams said she then heard four or five “pops” and heard screaming, which caused her to get out of bed to see what was happening. She also dialed 911, but saw two police cars arrive on the scene as she was on the phone.

Officers from CMPD’s homicide and assault with a deadly weapon unit were among those who responded to the scene. Charlotte firefighters and Medic also were there to help stabilize and treat patients.

Meanwhile, police went around the neighborhood to look for potential witnesses.

Anyone with information about the shooting to call 704-432-TIPS (8477). The shooting is being investigated by CMPD’s homicide and assault with a deadly weapon unit. Cameron Steele contributed.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/04/27/4007805/cmpd-5-shot-at-house-party-in.html#storylink=cpy

Suspect in Charlotte ‘Grease Attack’ Sentenced to 4 Years

A woman who was accused of splashing six children with hot grease last summer was sentenced to spend the next four years in prison Thursday morning.

Regina Terry, 34, pleaded guilty in a Mecklenburg County Courtroom to six counts of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and assault with a deadly weapon.

Regina Terry

“I’m upset, very upset, yeah something might be wrong with her, she might be mental whatever the case may be,” said Lasheika Strickland the mother of one of the victims.

Eight people were hit by the hot grease, four of whom had to be taken to the UNC Burn Center.

Residents in the Greenville neighborhood where the assault occurred were stunned by the sentence.

Veronica Henderson is a neighbor to some of the victims; she says she saw a lot of suffering.

“They look bad, it looks like no skin at all, like my skin is brown– it healed properly where they can show it,” said Henderson.

Terry was involved in an ongoing feud with her neighbors when she ambushed them with hot grease.

Prosecutors say they opted for a plea deal because she didn’t have a record, her mental health issues, and the circumstances leading up to the incident.

Strickland doesn’t agree; she says her 10-year-old daughter is living every day with what happened last June.

“Her injuries was not as bad, but she did get splashed; she didn’t have to go to the emergency room, but my daughter is terrified. If we are cooking she don’t want to be around the grease,” she said.

CMPD Searching for Missing 22-Year-Old Man

 

From The Charlotte Observer, April 25, 2013

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are searching for a missing Charlotte man they said could be in danger and needs medical attention.

Devin Hoover, 22, was last seen Sunday afternoon before his father picked him up from the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services group home where he lives.

Mecklenburg DSS is the appointed guardian of Hoover, who has multiple mental and physical medical issues, police said.

Hoover’s father, Flay, has visitation rights but was required to return his son to the group home Sunday evening.

When the pair did not return, DSS workers called police to report the young man missing.

Police said Hoover does not have his medication with him. The North Carolina Center for Missing Persons issued a Thursday for the Charlotte man.

Authorities described Hoover as 5 feet tall and 151 pounds. He has blonde hair and brown eyes.

His father is driving a gray 2004 Chrysler Pacifica with NC tags “BDS3761” and is possibly headed to Florida, South Carolina or Georgia.

Anyone with information in the case should contact CMPD at 704-336-3237.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/04/25/4004076/police-search-for-missing-22-year.html#storylink=cpy

Arrest Made in South Charlotte Shooting Death

From http://www.wcnc.com, April 24, 2013

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have arrested a man in connection with the murder of a man whose body was found inside his running vehicle in a restaurant parking lot in South Charlotte.

Jonathan Tristan Daberto Henderson, 24, is facing murder and armed robbery charges in the shooting death of 21-year-old William Lee Ellis Tunson.

William Lee Ellis Tunson (bottom left) was identified as the victim that was shot.

Tunson’s body was found in his running Honda Civic in the parking lot of the Applebee’s Restaurant across from the Town of Ayrsley shopping center.

Police say Henderson and Tunson were engaged in a drug transaction when the shooting occurred.

Henderson has not yet been booked in to the Mecklenburg County Jail.

Malcolm Jones is an employee at Planet Fitness, a gym that is next to the parking lot where the car was found.  He said the driver of a truck that was parked next to the car came running into the gym.

“The guy came in and said he thinks there is a dead body across the street and he had seen a lot of blood,” Jones said.

Jones called 911 and went to see for himself.

“As I got closer I seen the bullet casings and I saw blood on the car.  I looked inside and I saw a guy bleeding.”

CMPD Captain Chris Dozier said, “Homicide (detectives) was called and responded and is currently conducting an active investigation.”

Dozier would not say if a weapon was found in the car and would not comment on reports that a woman had been taken in for questioning.

The case is still under investigation. If anyone saw anything or has any information they are asked to call CMPD.

Charlotte Man Missing Since Friday, April 19, 2013

By ELIZABETH THOMAS / WCNC.com, April 24, 2013

A missing persons report has been filed on a 65-year-old man who hasn’t been seen since Friday.

The family of John Greene says the 6-foot-1, 220 pound man with salt-and-pepper gray hair was last seen pumping gas at the WalMart in Spruce Pine last Friday morning at 10:30. This information comes from surveillance footage, the family says.

Credit: Family

John Greene.

Greene was last seen wearing khakis and a blue collared-shirt, and family says he may be driving a 2008 GMC Yukon with NC tags NXF-3135.

The family is concerned for Greene’s safety, as he’s now been without his heart medication for five days.

The family added that Greene has ties in the Raleigh area, as well as Mitchell, Avery, Moore and Buncombe Counties.

If you have any information on John Greene’s whereabouts, please contact Crime Stoppers at (704) 334-1600.

Bill to Alter Some N.C. Gun Laws Heads to House Floor for Vote

From News 14 Carolina by Linnie Supall, April 24, 2013

Possible changes to North Carolina’s gun laws are up for debate at the General Assembly.

On Wednesday a subcommittee met to discuss House Bill 936 that would clarify and expand some state laws about where licensed owners can take their guns. The bill has also been named, Amend Various Firearms Laws.

It would increase penalties for certain crimes in which a gun is used. Supporters argue the bill protects the rights of law abiding citizens.

“We don’t know when we may to need to protect ourselves or when you may need to protect your family,” said Rep. Justin Burr.

Some of the amendments would:

• Make it a criminal offense for anyone to permit a child to access to or possess a firearm without supervision and parental consent.

• Allow a person who has a valid permit to keep a concealed handgun in a locked vehicle in a state government parking lot, have a concealed handgun in a locked compartment in a vehicle on the premises of a community college, public college, or public university.

• Allow a licensed owner to carry a handgun into an assembly where an admission fee is charged or an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed, unless the person in legal possession or control of the premises prohibits it.

• Allow an employee of a public institution of higher education who lives on campus and has a concealed handgun permit to carry a handgun on the  employee’s residential premises and also keep the gun in the employee’s residential premises and also keep the gun in the employee’s locked vehicle in the parking area of the institution of higher education.

The bill will now make its way to the House floor for a full vote.

2-Year-Old Found Alone on Charlotte Street

From The Charlotte Observer, April 24, 2013

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police were searching early Wednesday for the parents of a 2-year-old boy found alone on a street in northeast Charlotte.

Police were called to the 6500 block of North Tryon Street, which is near the intersection with Tom Hunter Road, a little before 4 a.m. after someone said they spotted the boy.

Tom Hunter Road and North Tryon Street. Credit: Google Maps

He was wearing only a diaper and a pair of shoes, according to WCNC-TV, the Observer’s news partner. But police said the boy wasn’t hurt.

Investigators sent out an GEO Notify alert to try to find the boys’ parents. The Department of Social Services also was notified, according to a police spokesman.

Police asked anyone whose child may be missing, or who has information about the boy’s identity to call 911.

Charlotte Fugitive Found in Georgia

From The Charlotte Observer, April 22, 2013

A man wanted on a number of charges in three Charlotte-area counties has been located and arrested in Georgia, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

Police said last week they were looking for Brendan Penn, 24, who was wanted in Mecklenburg County for parole violation and burglary charges. They said he also was wanted in Cabarrus and Gaston counties on felony larceny charges.

CMPD, Concord Police and other law enforcement agencies stepped up the search late last week, and Penn was found Friday by the Decatur Police Department.