Hat Trick Saturday in Charlotte

Back in the day Charlotte's West Side was well known for homicides. The days of crack and heroin in CMPD's Adam Two Division have been replaced by meth and fentanyl in Freedom and Westover divisions. 

CMPD's West Side "Jump Out Boyz" have been replaced by JADE and SWITCH for a warmer more welcoming police presence in "Da Hood".

Homicides have become a city wide problem with even South Charlotte is seeing the carnage of drug related deaths and violence. 

Still Saturday night's 3 seperate homicides for a "Hat Trick" present a somber realization that CMPD, the Mecklenburg County DA and elected Judges as well as Charlotte City Leaders are failing at the first obligation of civil governance, public safety.

It is predictable that crime begets more crime and that in each of these three cases both victim and perpetrators will likely have intense criminal pasts even if the arrest records don't validate this claim.

Still there's a long held understanding that Police can't prevent homicides, and that human nature is too complicated to predict and prevent people from killing each other.

But that is within a normal society and in this segment of Charlotte's dark side is highly preventable by what is well known as "broken windows policing". 

Broken windows policing is a strategy that focuses on reducing minor crimes, which are easy to stop, to prevent major crimes. The theory is that by addressing quality of life offenses, like vandalism and graffiti, police can restore community order and reduce crime. 

(In criminology, the broken windows theory states that visible signs of crime, antisocial behavior and civil disorder create an urban environment that encourages further crime and disorder, including serious crimes.)

In simple terms when there are no consequences for having expired plates or a valid driver's licenses, suddenly driving a stolen car is normal. When being a drug dealer is considered an acceptable "side gig" as much as being a doordash driver then having a stolen handgun is considerable normal and before long using that weapon to take what you want or settle an argument becomes acceptable.

Let's face it the African American Community has become a culture of violence embracing both criminality and gun play because there are no consequences for antisocial behavior.

Try as much as they like CMPD is no match for a DA and Elected Judges who are soft on crime. Add a mayor and city council that believe crime is a symptom of disadvantaged youth and systemic racism and it becomes a lost cause.

The first homicide happened around 11 a.m. on Saturday in the 6100 block of Old Mount Holly Road. When Officers first responded to a call to assist Medic they found a woman having a medical issue. When she got to the hospital, medical staff found a gunshot wound to her chest and she later died of her injuries.

About 10 hours later, around 9 p.m. on Saturday, officers responded to the 1200 block of Lucky Penny Street at the Loyalty Inn where they found someone with a gunshot wound to the head. Medic pronounced them dead at the scene.

The just before 2 a.m on Sunday March 2nd  officers responded to the 4800 block of Wilkinson Blvd about an assault with a deadly weapon after someone got into an altercation with an armed security guard. When they arrived, they found a man with a gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital where he died of his injuries.

Congratulations Charloot the hat trick is yours!

CMPD is also reporting a fourth separate shooting on East Woodlawn Road left one person in the hospital with life-threatening injuries on Sunday morning and another shooting that happened around 9 a.m.Sunday morning on Village Lake Drive in southeast Charlotte, which left one person with life-threatening injuries.

CP has repeatedly suggested that CMPD publicly report shootings so that the public can remain vigilant and aware of the ever increasing level of violent crime in Charlotte.  

Ilijah Mack This Is How We Roll

"In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the police, who investigate crime; and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders".

It is that last group, the district attorneys who are the weakest link in the thin blue line that protects the civil population from the violent criminals.

Ilijah Mack, 22 was arrested again Tuesday night on weapons and drug charges. 

Convicted last year for "shootin up" a Dodge Charger on North Sharon Amity, with five occupants that should have earned him 5 years prison. But those charges and a domestic violence case were pled down to probation. 

Ilijah Mack Photo Courtesy MCSO

Cedar's Take: In Mecklenburg County you can fire a rifle into a car loaded with people three times and get nothing more than probation. 

Maybe we should keep him locked up this time?

As CP has said the african American community has become a culture of violence embracing gunplay and criminality. To these people this is normal. 

CMPD says it has created a new "Initiative" called "SWITCH" (Safety Wellness Initiative Towards Community Households) to allocate more resources and investigators to address shooting into occupied dwellings (SIOD). Switch as in Glock Switch?

But the narrative is tragically flawed. CMPD has called SIOD a "Growing Problem" as if it equates to littering or not picking up after your dog. 

It is not a "problem" it is a violent criminal act that should always be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Absolutly no one should receive a plea deal!

I'm not faulting CMPD they are at least trying but these thugs know nothing will be done to them.

From the most recent charging document:

On or about the date of offense shown and in the county named above the defendant unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did possess, have in the defendant's custody, have in the 
defendant's control a black in color Draco Rifle, which is a firearm .  

The defendant has previously been convicted of the felony of Discharging Firearm into an enclosed structure to incite fear. (NCGS 14-34.10) which was punishable 25 months and a Class F Felony.

This felony was committed on March 1, 2024 and the defendant was convicted of the felony on June 14, 2024 in Mecklenburg County Superior Court in North Carolina and was sentenced to an intermediate sentence of 13-25 months of confinement and 24 months of supervised probation. That sentence was suspended.

On or about the date of offense shown and in the county named above the defendant unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did intentionally carry concealed about the defendant's 
person while off the defendant's own premises a gun, a black in color Draco Rifle.

The defendant was previously convicted of carrying a concealed gun in violation of G.S. 
14-269(a1) on February 14, 2024 in Cabarrus county Superior Court.

On or about the date of offense shown and in the county named above the defendant unlawfully and willfully did possess one-half ounce of marijuana or less, a controlled substance which is included in Schedule VI of the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act.

On or about the date of offense shown and in the county named above the defendant unlawfully and willfully did resist, delay, and obstruct officer A.H., a public officer 
holding the office of Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, by refusing to provide his name.  

At the time, the officer was discharging and attempting to discharge an official duty by placing the defendant under arrest.

During the June 14, 2024 trial Mecklenburg Superior Court Judge William Bell agreed to a plea deal offered by the Mecklenburg DA and in doing so dismissed 3 counts of discharging a firearm into occupied property, assault on a female from a separate incident as well as damage to property. 

Obviously Judge Bell and the Mecklenburg DA are pretty bad judges of character. 

Beyond the most recent charges Mack has additional weapons and drug charges pending  in Cabarrus County as well as felony probation violations.

He is currently being held without bond. His next hearing date is March 18, 2025.

Charlotte Democrats Want To Increase Your Sales Tax

This from Tony Mecia with the Charlotte Ledger who is really looped in regarding all things political in Charlotte.

Bill introduced in Raleigh to advance Charlotte's transit plan

Would allow referendum on hiking Mecklenburg's sales tax to pay for transit and roads

Three N.C. senators filed the bill Monday morning; its outlook is uncertain, but more clarity could come this afternoon.

by Tony Mecia

Three N.C. senators have filed a bill in the General Assembly that would authorize Mecklenburg County to hold a referendum to raise the county’s sales tax, a key step in advancing Charlotte’s plan to expand transit.

Senate Bill 145, introduced Monday morning by Republican Senators Bill Rabon, David Craven and Vickie Sawyer, would allow Mecklenburg commissioners to place a referendum on the ballot asking voters to raise sales taxes by 1 percentage point, to 8.25%.

The money would be used to help pay for a $25 billion transportation plan that would cover building new rail lines, adding bus routes and expanding roads and sidewalks. Leaders of the city, county and Mecklenburg’s towns largely settled on the plan last summer, with the exception of the town of Matthews, which opposes it. That’s because Matthews would likely not have a rail line to uptown as originally envisioned.

The fate of the bill is uncertain. Sawyer, who represents Iredell County and the northern portion of Mecklenburg, said this month that the bill is “a long way from being palatable to have enough votes to even get to the floor.”

Legislative leaders are scheduled to be in Charlotte today to talk with the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, and they are expected to discuss the fate of the bill.

Cedar's Take:

As I've pointed out before the increase is being sold by Charlotte City Council as being only a penny, just a one cent on the dollar increase to help pay for much needed light rail buses and transit improvements. 

Councilmembers like Ed Driggs what you to approve this 1% increase. But it's not a 1% increase it is a 13.79% increase in the amount of sales tax you pay everytime you go out for dinner or stop by Target for cleaning supplies. 

The average North Carolina family of four spends about $4,524 a year in sales tax if this bill is passed and approved by Charlotte voters that same family will lose another $624.00 per year to pay for light rail most will never ride.

Taxation is theft plain and simple.

MCSO McFadden Making Excuses Again

According to Joe Bruno Sheriff Garry McFadden has released another statement in response to the arrest of illegal migrant Jose Napoleon-Serrano. 

Jose Napoleon-Serrano Photo Courtesy MCSO 

Napoleon-Serrano was arrested by CMPD on January 12th and released 5 days later despite an active ICE Detainer request.

According to MCSO records Napoleon-Serrano was "Committed" on 1/12/2025 at 8:59 AM  and then "Released" on 1/17/2025 at 12:42 PM.

From Joe Bruno:

Sheriff McFadden is calling on ICE to notify him during the 48 hour detainer on whether they plan to pick up the suspect.

As I have been reporting, ICE is asking Sheriff McFadden to notify the agency before the suspect is released. That isn't happening. 

Statement:

MCSO Clarifies Process of Querying ICE, Sheriff McFadden Continues to Request Collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Charlotte, N.C. – The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office is committed to transparency and lawful procedures regarding the handling of individuals in custody, including those with immigration concerns. Recent discussions and media inquiries surrounding the case of Honduras national Napoleon Serrano highlight the need for clarity in how information is shared between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

When a person is arrested, staff at Arrest Processing Center ask every and any person several questions with three of them dealing with citizenship. As it pertains to an undocumented person, that information is entered into a database on DCI/NCIC through a PIN message to ICE. Essentially, MCSO uses this system to query ICE when we cannot determine citizenship. It includes dates, time stamps and other pertinent details. ICE is then notified through Immigration Alien Queries (IAQs). This process has remained the same through previous administrations and sheriffs, despite the removal of the 287g program.

However, this system does not provide MCSO with details about a person’s past arrests, encounters, or level of danger. Only ICE has that information. That said, when ICE saw Napoleon Serrano’s name, they should have immediately recognized that they had encountered him twice before and previously deported him twice. MCSO is unaware of any state or federal charges attached to Serrano’s past two deportations.

As MCSO has stood clear in its processes, the agency expects the same level of transparency in return. Once a detainer is issued, ICE should clearly understand that they have 48 hours to make the pickup. During that time, MCSO is asking ICE to inform our agency of their intentions, whether they plan to pick up a person or allow the person to remain on state charges.

“Communication with ICE stops once they issue a detainer. Collaboration is a two-way street. Transparency is a two-way street, Sheriff McFadden said. “I am still waiting for productive discussions with local ICE officials on the process we follow in regard to undocumented persons and how our agency can work more effectively with ICE.”

CP's Take:

Jose Napoleon-Serrano's case is not unusual for Mecklenburg County. But he's a violent person who should be deported ASAP.  Yet for some reason Charlotte's sanctuary city status and Garry McFadden's pro immigrant stance put this violent criminal Jose Napoleon-Serrano who is a threat to all citizens back on the streets.

Turns out the Napoleon-Serrano was involved in a fight last summer and a warrant was issued for his arrest where he allegedly hit a man with a bottle and knocked out a few teeth. 

But that warrant wasn't served until his arrest on domestic violence charges back in January of this year.

In the first case according to CMPD:

The victim Victor Gonzalez (Victor) stated he was "hanging out" at the car wash

"The unknown friends at the car wash" were fighting over something and then "were calmed down but started saying they had guns". The Unknown male suspect and later identified as Jose Napoleon-Serrano (Jose) didn't calm down. Victor stated Jose was very angry and wanted to continue fighting with everyone. 

The Victim was assaulted with glass bottle at the 5723 Reddman Rd car wash. The suspect was said to have thrown glass bottle at the victim's face.

The bottle hit Victor in the face cutting his lip and knocking multiple teeth out of Victor's mouth. The glass bottle thrown at Victor also hit his left cheek bone/ upper jaw. The medical staff stated the bone was broken from the bottle. Victor stated when he was hit with the bottle he immediately bent nt that point over and noticed all the blood coming out of his face Jose ran off into the woods and then to the nearby apartments The friends of Jose told Victor, Jose had ran away and that they had done nothing wrong and did not want to be involved.

A picture of the suspect was sent out to Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department and was later identified by Officer J; Habenicht of Metro Division as Jose Napoleon-Serrano. Officer Habenicht stated he identified the suspect by arrest records and cross referenced with CJLEADS.

For whatever reason MCSO did not serve the warrant on the suspect until this year.

In the second case again via CMPD:

Upon Arrival to Mockernut Drive, officers talkéd to Oneida Hernandez Cruz 01/23/1967 who stated Jose Napoleon-Serrano.05/22/1984 came home drunk and began arguing with her because shé'did not want-to bé intimated She gets out of the bed, goes to another room and he begins to kick the door. When he stops, she opens the door and goes downstairs to the Livingroom - and he stands on the stairs and-throws and empty bottle of beer hitting the back of her shoulders causing bruise bottles'at'hér-and only stopped when she called He Theng 'comes to the living room and throw more cans at her causing bruising on her back shoulder and bottom of her right eye.

But here's where things take an odd turn. 

With the suspect in custody he is formally charged in both cases. Five days in jail and despite the ICE Detainer he's released.

Then the first case 24CR363210 is dismissed by Judge Roy Wiggins on January 30th. Then a Prosecutor's Verification of Basis for Expunction of DNA is created.

The question is why? 

And why is the chief judge hearing these low level cases?

One Particular Harbour - Anguilla

It's just a little too much like winter around Charlotte today.

So how about a little break? 

After all it's five o'clock somewhere.

Wait for it....

BASE Jumper Rescued and Handed Over To CMPD

Well this is different. Early this morning just after midnight Charlotte Fire received a call that they had to say WTF (well that's funny) Seems a BASE (buildings, antennas (referring to radio masts), spans (bridges) and earth (cliffs)) Jumper got a quick education in the meaning of FA-FO.

Diego Jose Adame was arrested by CMPD and charged with First Degree Trespassing. The 31 year old Mint Hill resident lists iFly skydiving center in Concord as his employer.

According to CMPD: 

On February 18th, 2025, officers were dispatched to 525 S. Church St. in reference to an

individual who was parachuting and got stuck on the side of the building. Officer arrived on scene and observed the suspect, Diego Adame (Adamae) hanging from the

side of the Museum Towers wrapped in parachute. Adame did not have authorization to be on the side of the building. At the time of the incident, the Museum Towers was locked and

secured on the ground floor and on the roof where Adame was eventually rescued.

Adame was removed from the roof by the fire department and taken into custody.

Photo Courtesy MCSO

Diego was found with his parachute entangled aside an Uptown Office Tower late last night. Apparently he jumped from Museum Tower 525 South Church Street. The 42-story apartment building in Uptown Charlotte is 447 feet tall. The building has multiple cornice that protrude and could easily snag a parachute.

He was released Tuesday morning on a written promise to appear.

From Charlotte Fire:

CHARLOTTE FIREFIGHTERS EXECUTE HIGH-ANGLE RESCUE OF PARACHUTIST STRANDED 100 FEET IN THE AIR

Charlotte Firefighters executed a high-risk rescue early this morning after a parachutist became entangled on the side of a high-rise building in Uptown Charlotte. At 1:03 AM, Charlotte Fire was dispatched to the 500 block of S. Church Street for reports of a person stuck on the exterior of a building. Firefighters arrived within minutes and began searching for the individual, but initial reports had misidentified the exact location. Once located, crews discovered the parachutist suspended approximately 100 feet in the air, hanging from a tangled parachute against the building’s façade. Firefighters quickly established a high-angle rope system to access and secure the individual. At 1:28 AM, a firefighter descended to the stranded subject, ensuring their safety before carefully maneuvering them into the rescue system. By 1:43 AM, the parachutist was safely brought onto the rooftop, uninjured. After being evaluated by MEDIC, the individual was turned over to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police for further investigation. The subject did not disclose where they had jumped from or how they arrived at their precarious position. Charlotte Fire units on scene included Rescue 11, Engine 11, Engine 4, Ladder 4, Safety 1, and Battalion 1. Their swift response and technical expertise ensured a safe outcome. “Our firefighters train for these challenging rescues, and their professionalism was on full display last night,” said Charlotte Fire Chief

@RegE_TJohnson

. “This situation could have ended much differently, but thanks to their skill and teamwork, the individual was safely brought to safety.” Charlotte Fire reminds the public that high-risk activities such as unauthorized parachuting or BASE jumping in urban environments pose extreme dangers and can require complex emergency response operations.

Cedar's Take:

I don't think highly of BASE Jumpers who conduct unauthorized jumps from private property. They rate right up with bicyclists who insist of riding high traffic narrow roads during twilight or after dark.  

Adame should have his bail set in the amount of the costs for his rescue. 

Joe Bruno's Report on Garry McFadden and Ice

WSOC's Joe Bruno has been working endlessly to report on the workings of ICE and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office. His post:

The dispute between ICE and Sheriff Garry McFadden continues.

Sheriff Garry McFadden has released a statement in response to ICE's arrest of Jose Napoleon-Serrano, which I covered last week.

As I noted in my report, ICE issued a detainer but was not notified by Sheriff McFadden about his release. Sheriff McFadden reiterated to me, as he has in the past, that he is following HB10 as written and that the phone call notification is not required. Screenshots of of the detainer in question and the law are below.

Here is the Sheriff's full statement and a link to my previous story (opens in a new tab/window).

Mecklenburg County Sheriff

“I want to address recent reports regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests that are incorrect and misleading. To our local media, I urge you to report fairly and accurately. I am not bending the rules or preventing Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers from doing their job—I am simply following the law. Specifically, I adhere to NCGS 162.62, as revised in House Bill 10, yet the media continues to misrepresent my role as Sheriff to the public.

In the case of Jose Napoleon-Serrano, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office followed the law by holding him for 48 hours, per a court order.

Here is a breakdown of the events:

January 12th at 5:35 AM - Mr. Serrano was arrested by CMPD. Our deputies determined he was a Honduras national during the intake process.

January 12th at 6:09 AM (35 minutes later) – MCSO notified ICE with no response the entire day.

January 13th at 11:18 AM (more than 24 hours later) - MCSO received the ICE Detainer-Administrative Warrant. A 48-hour hold was signed and issued by a state magistrate.

January 15th at 11:18 AM (exactly 48 hours later) – The court order on Mr. Serrano was lifted but he remained in custody at the MCSO Detention Center on his initial state charges with a $5,000 secured bond.

January 17th at 12:14 PM (more than 48 hours later) - Mr. Serrano’s $5,000 bond was posted for his release. A Mecklenburg County magistrate then issued a signed court order for his release from custody.

In total, Mr. Serrano was held 5 days with NO ICE movement.

As laid out above, MCSO received zero correspondence from ICE after they sent the detainer on January 13th. ICE was aware of Mr. Serrano’s status between January 12th -17th as they are privy to our various tracking systems. 

ICE is more than welcome to pick up the phone – we will always remain transparent about a person’s release, but nowhere in House Bill 10 does it mandate local sheriffs to notify ICE of an individual’s release. 

ICE is also aware that Mr. Serrano had been deported twice before. If they believed he posed a threat to public safety, I question why ICE didn’t charge Mr. Serrano with federal offenses under 8 USC 1325 (Improper Entry by Alien) and 8 USC 1326 (Re-entry of Deported Alien), instead of putting the burden on local sheriffs. 

This is why I continue to emphasize the importance of open discussions with ICE—because simply deporting individuals is not an effective solution and does not make our communities safer.

So again, I have followed the law. I have my responsibilities as Sheriff of Mecklenburg County, and ICE has theirs. However, ICE cannot expect me to operate outside the scope of the law as my predecessors have done. I am not an ICE officer. 

I am the Sheriff, and my priority is serving and protecting my community while always upholding the law.”