California Resident Renee Jewel Ferrari Charged With Trafficking Held Under $1,000,000.00 Bond

Bakersfield California resident Renee Jewel Ferrari was arrested by CMPD Wednesday afternoon and charged with two counts of trafficking cocaine and and two counts of trafficking marijuana. 

Renee Ferrari Photo Courtesy MCSO

She is currently being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail under a $1 million dollar bond.

According to sources Ferrari was in possession of more than 10 pounds of Marijuana and nearly a pound of Cocaine at the time of her arrest.

December 19, 2024 Update:

Meck County Judge lowered her bail to $500,000 on she remains in the Meck County Jail.

Charlotte Douglas Airport police checking inbound baggage from an LA fight connecting through Denver with a K-9. The K-9 alerted on luggage belonging to Ms. Ferrari. Ferrari was later questioned at baggage claim.

According to court records officers were granted a search warrant and confiscated nearly 6 pounds of Cocaine and 23 pound of Marijuana. 

Renee Ferrari Photo Via Facebook 

Renee Ferrari remains behind bars. Her next court appearance date has not been reported.

2nd CMS Bus Shooter Arrested

Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Officers have now arrested Paris Lewis-Bynum for his part in Monday's school bus shooting. Earlier Lamarius Ramel Anthony was arrested on Tuesday for his part in the shooting and was released on an unsecured bond 3 hours later.

Bynum is charged with the following:

Possession of a Stolen Firearm
Possession of a Firearm by Felon
Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill
Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle

In the past Byrum has been arrested 6 times facing more than 22 charges. All but one of those charges were dismissed by the Mecklenburg County DA Spencer Merriweather.

Past charges include:

STOLEN FIREARM AS A FELON

FAIL TO HEED LIGHT OR SIREN 11/22/2020 DISMISSED REASON JUDICIAL EFFICIENCY

FLEE/ELUDE ARREST W/MV (M) 11/22/2020 DISMISSED REASON JUDICIAL EFFICIENCY

NO OPERATORS LICENSE 11/22/2020 DISMISSED REASON JUDICIAL EFFICIENCY 

ATTEMPTED ROBBERY WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON

PWISD COCAINE

BREAK OR ENTER A MOTOR VEHICLE

FELONY CONSPIRACY

BREAK OR ENTER A MOTOR VEHICLE

RESISTING PUBLIC OFFICER

PROBATION VIOLATION - FEL OUT OF COUNTY GIVEN ADDITIONAL COMSERV
BREAKING AND ENTERING MOTOR VEHICLE (2 COUNTS) 4/26/2023  

FELONY CONSPIRACY

POSSESS MARIJUANA

MISDEMEANOR LARCENY

ATTEMPTED ARMED ROBBERY 6/11/2022 DISMISSED NO REASON

RECKLESS DRIVING TO ENDANGER - 6/19/2021 REASON EFFICIENCY

HIT AND RUN PROPERTY DAMAGE - 6/19/2021 DISMISSED

Prior convictions include:

Possession of a Firearm by Felon 3/28/2024 Felony Class H (Mecklenburg County)

Fleeing to Elude Arrest  5/228/2023 Felony Class H (Cabarrus County)

Hit and Run 5/28/2023 (Cabarrus County)

Possess Stolen Vehicle 5/28/2023 Felony Class H (Cabarrus County)

Resisting Arrest 5/28/2023 Misdemeanor Class 2 (Cabarrus County)

Drivers License Revoked 5/28/2023 (Cabarrus County)

Cedar's Take:

Incarceration saves lives. This thug is on probation but North Carolina's probation officers are untrained, underpaid, understaffed and under motivated. In this case they had not a clue what this pos was up to.

Additionally the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Court is a disaster. Their ability to perform the basic duties of the clerk are without a doubt unacceptable. They have failed to provide probation officers and NC DOC timely information with delays of up to six months.

December 20, 2024 Update:

Based on evidence gathered Paris Lewis-Bynum has additionally been charged with:

BREAKING/ENTERING MOTOR VEHICLE

LARCENY OF A FIREARM

FELONY CONSPIRACY

H/I FELONY PROBATION VIOLATION

He has been denied bail at this time.

Charlotte's New Year's Eve MASS SHOOTER GETS PROBATION

This is how WSOC's Joe Bruno reported this case yesterday:

The man who shot 5 people celebrating New Year’s Eve in Romare Bearden Park last year will spend up to three years behind bars. Daevion Crawford, 20, pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury Monday morning.

Daevion Crawford Photo MCSO

Discrepancies between the court's paperwork and the NC DOC website are evident.  The defendant was also given 36 months probation and a contingent release. Meaning he could possibly be out of jail before Christmas. NC DOC Website says his sentence is probation and his sentences are suspended. The judge's paperwork suggests the sentence for the first count is 20-36 months the second count to run consecutively but the NC DOC says concurrently.  Further handwritten notation states that "those sentences are suspended".

Joe Bruno continues:

Because under the terms of the plea deal with the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office, Crawford will spend 20 to 36 months behind bars with credit for 350 days served. He will then have to complete 36 months of supervised probation and a cognitive behavioral intervention course. If he violates that probation, he will have to serve an additional 20-36 months.

Judge Carla Archie accepted the guilty plea.

“I hope these past decisions will not be an indication of your future decisions. Your decisions have consequences” Judge Archie said. “But for the grace of God, no one is dead. But I want you to think hard on the decisions you make from here on out.”

In court, Crawford only spoke when addressed by the judge. He didn’t apologize or address any of the five victims. His attorney, Eddie Thomas, claimed he was remorseful

“He never meant to harm anyone,” Thomas said. “Certainly not innocent bystanders.”

Thomas said the shooting stemmed from a dispute between Crawford and someone who broke into his good friend’s car. He says that person found out that Crawford knew he broke in and thought he was snitching. He claims threats and words were exchanged on social media. According to Thomas, Crawford got a gun to protect himself from that person.

The attorney says Crawford brought the gun with him on New Year’s Eve while he and two friends were in Uptown. Thomas says Crawford and his friends were walking through Romare Bearden Park when they saw that man. Thomas claims the man said something threatening to Crawford and then started to reach toward him. He says Crawford fired his weapon in response.

“It is a mistake that he made but at the moment he thought it was right,” Thomas said. “But now he recognizes the danger to everyone else.”

Assistant District Attorney Maria Caino says after the shooting, Crawford ran. She says detectives with CMPD’s real time crime center were able to give officers a description of Crawford. CMPD then used cameras to track Crawford and his friends as they tried to flee. Caino says while Crawford was running, he bumped into a police officer. The officer saw the magazine hanging out of his pocket.

CMPD was able to arrest Crawford after he returned to the scene looking for his cell phone.

“The defendant and some of his friends went back to the scene of the shooting because the defendant dropped his phone there,” Caino said. “They were waiting outside the taped area when he was spotted and detained.”

Caino says he had on him a 45-caliber magazine with 13 rounds in it.

In the days after the shooting, Caino says Crawford’s girlfriend called him in jail to say his mom got the gun and hid it in his aunt’s house in a safe. CMPD was listening to the call and recovered the gun after obtaining a search warrant. Caino says his mom would later call him in jail to yell at him for saying too much in jail calls.

Five people were hurt by Crawford. Cirilo Gonzalez Cruz suffered a gunshot wound to his right foot. It went through his foot and almost severed three toes and he had to have surgery to reconnect them. Amanda Salazar was shot in the right leg below the knee. Deashia Gaddy was shot in the right leg. Laura Trochin was shot in the right ankle. Caino says the bullet shattered her tibia and she had to have a metal rod installed in her leg to keep it together. Vanessa Daumen was shot in the bottom of her right foot.

Trochin was working as an au pair. The couple she was staying with told Judge Archie that Trochin had to return to Italy after the shooting and that she is still suffering physically and emotionally.

“She didn’t feel safe in this country anymore,” the couple told Judge Archie.

Crawford had zero prior record points. Judge Archie told Crawford she hopes he learns from this.

“This is not a game,” she said. “You have one life and that is it.”

Cedar's Take:

This is nuts - and it's open season on people Uptown. No one is safe as there are no consequences for shooting people at random. 

Everyone of Crawford's victims has suffered life altering physical injuries. He didn't just shoot one person he shot 5 and the Mecklenburg District Attorney decided that because he's a person of color and has no white privilege he deserved a break and the judge agreed.

He should have been sentenced to 440 months (36.6 years), 88 months for each count "boxcar'd" to run consecutively for the class "E" felony. 

This is insane and people in Charlotte are stupid if they venture Uptown on New Year's Eve.

Note: It is apparently not unusual for the judge's order and the NC DOC website to conflict. Eventually someone will get it right. The likely outcome is that he remains behind bars until August of 2025 and will then serve his probation. 

But no restitution was imposed and most of the cost of court were waived. This is an absolute total "Charlies Foxtrot" for the law abiding taxpayers of Charlotte.

Mecklenburg County and Charlotte Fire - Government Overreach

Seems Charlotte Fire Department and the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal have lost their collective minds over garden gnomes. 

Obviously, everyone should be aware of fire safety. Overcrowded restaurants and bars, movie theaters with blocked exits or sprinkler systems that are uninspected, and fire extinguishers that have not been serviced. Homeless camps with open fires and space heaters in homes. 

All should be priority concerns

Then there are apartments with charcoal grills on balconies or generators in garages which are clearly critical issues affecting fire safety. 

But CFD and the Mecklenburg Fire Marshal have taken these concerns to a new level - garden gnomes. 

Bill Parsons lost his wife last year; she loved garden gnomes. The only trouble is when they moved into a retirement community in Matthews they gave up their garden, trading their Providence Plantation home on a well-manicured 1 acre lot for a two bedroom condo in an upscale retirement community.

Says Bill; "The first thing my wife did was unpack "Edgar" her favorite garden gnome and placed him by our new front door". The couple gave away most of their garden gnomes to family and neighbors when they moved. But Edgar was special, a gift from Bill to his wife of 62 years on their first anniversary.

The move into the Matthews retirement community was a hard choice but as 87-year-old Bill says it was time.

Well, apparently Charlotte Fire noticed that old people like to "fancy up" the area outside of their apartment home doors with just a little something extra. In most cases it's a personal memento or potted plant. Some have Christmas decorations, wreaths, a tiny Santa, or glitter reindeer. 

Some have sundials, or small benches, others have small tables with flowers. A quick survey of one building determined that every one of 18 doors in the 3-story building had some small momento, a personal touch added to the entrance of each senior's home.

But these small items are apparently enough to cause a VIOLATION and the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal is threatening fines and jail time for seniors who violate the rules.

(Wait until they find out people in retirement communities feed squirrels.)

In a letter shared with Mr. Parsons Chief Fire Marshal Ted G. Panagiotopoulos states:

Section 315 of the NC Fire Code prohibits combustible storage from being stored or kept within the common means of egress in occupied buildings. This includes furniture, planters, fixtures, and/or any other contents that can be potentially ignited or be exposed to a fire, as this would jeopardize the means of egress and possibly impede occupants from using the common exit areas to evacuate the building.

Section 1031 of the Code also prohibits storage of contents within the means of egress because this creates obstructions or impediments to the building’s designed egress, in case of fire or other emergency. If these furnishings, fixtures, or other contents were not originally approved as part of the design package for these buildings, then these items must be removed from the common areas, therefore I would greatly appreciate if you can advise the residents of the complex that placing or keeping furniture, fixtures, and/or other contents within the common areas of these buildings violates the fire code.

The letter from Panagiotopoulos goes on:

Given the upcoming holiday season and understanding that residents may require some additional time to remove or relocate their contents, I’m approving an extension of time for compliance, which will expire on January 15, 2025, at which time we will conduct a reinspection of these building areas. 

If these contents or items have not been removed from the common areas, we will have no choice but to issue a citation to any resident(s) failing to comply with this directive. A fine of $200 will be issued for each remaining violation.

Cedar's Take:

I get it, the rules are the rules. But these people, most in the final years of their lives, could use a little compassion and joy. 

Most of these residents if not all, have given up their homes to live in a far different place and with that they have given up much of themselves. These small items at their front doors are the last measure of personal freedom before they are confined to a nursing home bed or a cemetery plot.

The idea that the interior corridors of an apartment building should be without anything and each just like the one across the hall seems to be just another government overreach.

Maybe Mr. Parsons needs a new garden gnome outside his front door?

Archdale Drive Ain't What It Used To Be

Friday morning CMPD's Homicide Unit was conducting a homicide investigation in the 300 block of Archdale Drive in the Steele Creek Division.

Having arrived shortly after 10:00 a.m., officers were responding to an assault with a deadly weapon call for service in the 300 block of Archdale Drive. Upon arrival, officers discovered a victim with a gunshot wound. Medic pronounced the victim deceased on the scene.

Homicide Unit detectives and Crime Scene Search Unit processed the scene and the victim in this case was identified as Lashunda Shmicka McLendon, 42yo. 

The CMPD press release stated "The victim’s family has been notified of (his) death."

McLendon it turns out is a woman who was well liked by most accounts. 

Witnesses provided that there was some sort of argument which seemed to quiet down until gunshots were heard.

According to CMPD early Saturday morning Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department’s (CMPD) Violent Crime Apprehension Team (VCAT), Metro Division and Freedom Division located and arrested the suspect.

Ebonee Makeesa Rahman, 43yo, was transported to the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) and interviewed by homicide detectives.

Ebonee Makeesa Rahman Photo Courtesy MCSO

At the conclusion of the interviews, Rahman was transferred into custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. Rahman has been charged with, Murder and Possession of Firearm by a Felon.

This isn't Rahman's first rodeo she has a number of priors, convictions and dismissals. Cases in Stanly and Iredell Counties are outstanding. Her arrest in Locust back in May concerns shoplifting and conspiracy She had been free on a $5,000.00 cash secured bond in that case. 

Other convictions reported are for AWDW, DWI Level 5, Assault on an Officer, Possession, and Felony Larceny.

Cedar's Take:

First Incarceration saves lives. Rahman should have been in prison after her second or third conviction.

Second Archdale ain't what is used to be. This is the second homicide in five days. What was once a blue collar and white neighborhood has become just another Charlotte shithole occupied by thugs and hoodrats as well as  hispanics who live 12 to an apartment. 

Once again Charlotte's City Council insistence on providing affordable housing (aka apartments) has made Charlotte a bug light for the vastly undeserable undercase of Americans. 

Watch the next decade as "South Charlotte" continues to shrink. Archdale Drive, South Boulevard at one time was a pretty safe place. Then Charlotte City Council allowed a oversaturation of apartments along Arrowood. Sharon Lakes became "Da Hood" overnight. 

South Charlotte was once considered South of Fairview and west to South Blvd and east to Monroe Road. Now it's East of Park Road and  West of Sardis. 

The wealthy are fleeing South Charlotte for Fort Mill, Weddington and Marvin.

Third PO's come in two sizes those who are a power trip and arrest mainly hot females and those who do just enough to fill out a timesheet and collect a pay check. Had the assigned PO done their job they would have saw that Rahman was locked up back in May.  Absolutely no excuse for not knowing the Rahman was out and about thieving. With probation having another year to run she should have been locked up and put away.

CMPD Baddies?

I seriously don't think posting a list of CMPD 'Baddies" is a bad idea, but on the other hand there will be someone who will have an issue.

Let's approach it this way. I'll post some "baddies" from other departments. If one of CMPD's "finest" wants to endure the comments and step up I'm happy to post.

In the meanwhile say hello to Cape Coral Florida SRO Officer Caroline Busch.

Yeah Yeah I hear you "there's no way she's real". Seriously have I ever lied to you before? 

Have you had enough yet or are you thirsty for more?

Still more?

Answers to your first three questions No, No and definitely No.

Oh and you're welcome.

SouthPark The Next NorthLake?

According to local news sources, the SouthPark Mall Nordstrom store was robbed for the second time in five days.

This of course in the not the first notable crime in SouthPark, but it highlights a troubling trend. SouthPark used to be the goto place for shopping and some pretty good dining options. No more. While it is still better than NorthLake it is not 2005.

The CMPD police report states the latest incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the high-end department store. An initial investigation said that security, described as “asset protection,” was alerted to a group of people concealing items.

While attempting to apprehend them, the group assaulted security, which resulted in minor injuries before the group fled the scene.

The case is being classified as a robbery and assault. There is no description of the subjects or surveillance video at this time. This remains an active investigation.

CMPD is seldom open about pending cases. Only after they have exhausted other avenues do they turn to the public and local news sources to generate leads. 

CMPD's efforts to combat crime and the perception of crime are getting a lot of air time lately. 

12 hour shifts are being demo'd across the city, steady blue lights on all CMPD vehicles are now standard, an accident response unit has been rolled out to handle Charlotte's ever increasing MVA 10-50s and CMPD has abandoned Crime Mapping for their own in house citizen access to crime stats CMPD CRIME Mapper. 

Effort to recruit officers is still a concern, with more than 2 dozen up for retirement in 2025.

The lack of new Officers puts the burden on current Officers. Days off are subject to change some Officers say the only way they can have a day off is to call in sick. 

CPs Take: Its sad when you have to fake the flu when it's your kids high school play off game. Being voluntold to work a Panther's game because David Tepper is a tight ass and won't pay secondary enough to make it worth the effort. 

Finally Cedar Posts and Meckburbia will not be offering a running post "Baddies of CMPD" apologies in advance. 

Charlotte Body Count

Charlotte has bodies hitting the floor at a pretty steady pace.

According to CMPD  detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit are conducted a death investigation in the 300 block of E. Trade Street in the Central Division.

This location is of course the CATS "transit center" that hell hole covered bus station in Uptown.

From CMPD: 

On Sunday, December 8, 2024, shortly before 4:00 p.m., officers responded to an Assist MEDIC call for service in the 300 block of E. Trade Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered an unconscious male subject. Preliminary information indicates that an altercation occurred involving the subject, Strategic Security employees and other nearby civilians. The subject was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Homicide Unit detectives responded to the scene to conduct an investigation, and Crime Scene Search responded to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Representatives from CMPD’s Operations Command, Victim Services, MEDIC and CFD also responded to assist.

Wreaths Across America - Lincoln Maine (Updated)

Lincoln Maine has identified 950 local veteran graves they hope to honor this Saturday December 14, 2024.

Mrs. Cedar talked to Officer Becca Peters (Lincoln Police Department) this morning they now have 289 wreaths. Still a long way from 950.

Officer Peter's still needs some help if you can spare $17 and/or share the following link to sponsor a wreath.

https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/ME0101

Lincoln is typical small town USA. It is also the home of Master Sergeant Gary Gordon the medal of honor recipient portrayed in the film Black Hawk Down. 

Gordon graduated from the same Lincoln Maine high school as Mrs. Cedar's mother Mattanawcook Academy. 

It would be awesome if they could raise enough money to place wreaths on each of the 950 area veteran graves this weekend.

The Lincoln PD goal of 950 wreaths is a pretty ambitious could you please help them out.

I've seen this before in Lincoln. The people who call the north woods home don't have a lot of spare capital. There's not a big corporate sponsor who will step in at the last minute. So I'll keep pushing this until they at least get to 950 or time runs out.

Big Trouble In Small Packages

I'm older and wiser now. But my ex was a 100 pounds of fire breathing trouble. A size zero who I adored and would have done anything for at one time. 

She once dumped a pitcher of beer on a Mac's Speed Shop waitress for smiling at me. Once threaten to slit a guy's throat for having Cobra emblems on a six cylinder single exhaust Mustang. Right there in the parking, was going to kill the guy over a fake ass mustang. Cops came and fortunately I know some people and promised to take her home. 

DWI, Intoxicated and disruptive, totaled my car and more. I bailed her out of jail more times than I can count and appreciate that Roy Wiggins was able to keep her out of prison. At some point we split she took the kid and I ended up sleeping with her mother and then feared for my own life. 

Thankfully she settled down married a nice guy who gave her eight more kids. It was a long time ago but I have the scars to prove it and it seems most of the physical wounds have healed. And I thank God every day for saving me from myself.

It is from this point of self reflection I present these two unrelated perps.

Jese Leigh Carella (Threadgill)

Jese Leigh Carella Photo Courtesy of MCSO

Jese Leigh Carella (aka Jese Leigh Threadgill) is probably someone to stay away from, and while your first inclination might be I can save her that would likely be a life ending choice.

Her most recent arrest includes 9 counts of discharging a weapon into occupied property (yep the entire magazine) 2 counts Assault With a Deadly Weapon Intent to Kill, two counts Assault With a Deadly Weapon and Possession of Firearm by Felon from CMPD and a habitual felon warrant issued by Matthews PD.

Her most recent incarceration included 2 years and 9 months for trafficking, and weapons charges. 

As of December 18, 2024 she remained a guest of the McFadden Hilton housed in a comfortable dormitory awaiting another bond hearing this week. But apparently if you have $20,000.00 you can post her bail as an early Christmas gift and take your chances.

Madisyn Amanda Belk

Madisyn Amanda Belk Photo Courtesy of MCSO

Her most recent arrest includes 1 count of Simple Assault with a warrant issued by Mint Hill PD.

Apparently Ms Belk was drunk and got into an argument with her father and scratched his lip and arm. 

The responding Mint Hill Sargent felt it necessary to arrest Ms. Belk and take her uptown.

Her long list of priors include nothing notable except a mixture of traffic offenses and under age drinking. I'm not kidding. She's no saint but arresting her for a scratch on her dad's arm just looks bad.

Cedar's Take: If you're going to be a hero at least be selective. 

Wreaths Across America - Lincoln Maine (Updated)

Mrs. Cedar's hometown of Lincoln Maine has identified 950 local veteran graves they hope to honor next Saturday December 14, 2024.

Sadly, as of this morning they have sponsors for only 38. (Now 56 still a long way from 950)

The Lincoln Police Department needs a little help if you can spare $17 or share the following link to sponsor one wreath.

https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/ME0101

Lincoln is typical small town USA. It is also the home of Master Sergeant Gary Gordon the medal of honor recipient portrayed in the film Black Hawk Down. 

Gordon graduated from the same Lincoln Maine high school as Mrs Cedar's mother Mattanawcook Academy Class of 1978. 

It would be awesome if they could raise enough money to place wreaths on each area veteran's grave this Christmas.

The Lincoln PD goal of 950 wreaths is a pretty ambitious let's help them out.

Cedar's Take - You will notice that Meckburbia by Cedar Posts is without pop-ups and crazy clickbait. It's not a revenue source for me however its kinda hard to watch a small town police department struggle to get a community project of the ground. 

I've seen this before in Lincoln. The people who call the north woods home don't have a lot of spare capital. There's not a big corporate sponsor who will step in at the last minute. So I'll keep pushing this until they at least get to 100 or time runs out.

BOLO - Dwayne Clark Helms

While the CMPD alert posted on X (below) and detailed on WCNC is helpful Dwayne Helms (aka Mike Smith) is normally bald headed. 

Has served more than 13 yrs in prison and was most recently a Federal Prisoner and was given a break by having his sentence run concurrent to his NC prison sentence. 

Lake Norman and Gaston County residents should pay attention as his appearance would fit in even around South Charlotte.This guy is bad news and needs to be cuffed and stuffed ASAP!

The wcnc 30 second news clip says wanted for breaking and entering but he has priors for kidnapping, assault, armed robbery, felony B&E, auto theft and more.

The ring doorbell camera showing him with a gun is enough to make this habitual felon a serious threat and he needs to be considered armed and dangerous and reacted to accordingly.

If you see this MOFO call 911.

Happy 256th Birthday Day Charlotte?

Interesting post on "X" by CMPD. I guess I didn't know today was Charlotte's 256th birthday.

We needed some positive news.Right?

Charlotte's 101st Homicide Taking Out The Trash

On Thursday November 28th Just before 6:30 p.m. CMPD Officers responded to a call for a welfare check in the 2300 block of West Boulevard. When Officers arrived they located a male subject who was unresponsive. 

Medic transported the male to Atrium Main where they were pronounced deceased. 

At first Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit classified this incident only as a death investigation.

Upon review of the physical evidence at the scene this case was determined to be a homicide.

The victim in this case was later identified as Demond Kente Dixon, 44 and victim’s family has was notified of his death.

Dixon Photos Courtesy of the MCSO

According to CMPD, Belton Lamont Platt, 38, was identified as a person of interest shortly after Officers arrived on scene.

Mr. Platt was transported voluntarily to the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) in Uptown to speak to detectives. At the conclusion of the interview, Mr. Platt was transferred into the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and charged with Murder.

Platt Photos Courtesy of the MCSO

Dixon was a well known felon, thief and habitual criminal with more than 2 dozen convictions and more arrests than are worth taking the time to count.

Platt is also a convicted felon having just served 4 years for AWDWISI and having been released from prison this past July.

Platt has a history of arrests and convictions for weapons, drugs and violent crimes. His life is just one long rap sheet with crimes beginning with trying to burn down a school in 2002 to felon with a gun in in 2006. 

Props to CMPD for taking out the trash. Eyes are now on Meck County DA Merriweather to complete the mission. 

Once again proof that incarceration saves lives.

Post Thanksgiving Laugh!

Based on the comments some of y'all are just a little too tight maybe this not a true story will help.

I have two dogs Scout and Buddy and I was buying a large bag of Purina at Costco and standing in line at the check out.

A woman behind me asked if I had a dog.

On impulse, I told her that no, I was starting the Purina Diet again although I probably shouldn't because I'd ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care unit with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms. 

I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that it works is to load your pants pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry and that the food is nutritionally complete so I was going to try it again.  

I have to mention here that practically everyone in the line was by now enthralled with my story, particularly a guy who was behind her.

Horrified, she asked if I'd ended up in the hospital in that condition because I had been poisoned. I told her no; I stepped off a curb to sniff a poodle's ass and a car hit me.

I thought one guy was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard as he staggered out the door.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Idiots Among Us Tamika Smyre

According to the local paper, a woman was charged with driving while impaired and without a license after police accused her of hitting and killing a pedestrian on Old Pineville Road in south Charlotte, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said Friday. 

Officers found 39-year-old James Hines lying in the road with what appeared to be life-threatening injuries about 8 p.m. Wednesday, police said in a news release. MEDIC pronounced Hines dead at the scene, police said.

Tamika Smyre Photo Courtesy MCSO

Police charged the driver, 45-year-old Tamika Smyre, with driving with a revoked license and possession of marijuana. Smyre was uninjured, police said. Smyre, who was driving a Lexus, was northbound in the 6100 block when Hines was hit, police said. Hines was in the lanes of travel wearing dark clothing, according to CMPD.

Smyre was released on an unsecured bond and is awaiting trial. 

The local paper's reporting is comical but at least we know she was driving a Lexus. She was driving on a revoked license and an admitted drug user. This idiots are on Charlotte street  highways and there is nothing anyone can do to stop them.

But the problem is more than just the pathetic reporting from the local paper. This drug user was high as Jesus and killed a guy but was not charged as such.

She should not have been driving and she should be in jail. But in Charloot life is cheap and because Mr. Hines was a known low level criminal there will be no charges and Smyre will be driving just as soon as she gets her hands on the keys to a car.

Blondes with Killer Looks - Idiots Among Us

They are blonde, they are hot and they are likely going to get you killed dead.

CMPD has been busy stopping these drunk drivers, stoners and crazy blondes from spreading death and destruction across the Queen City, our highways and neighborhoods. 

Just a small sample of blondes with killer looks sent to CP this month.

Monica Brown Krusemark was arrested on November 19, 20204 and was charged with Felony Possession and DWI and was later released on an unsecured bond.

Monica Brown Krusemark DOB 5/20/1983 Photo Courtesy MCSO

Maria Francis Glenn was arrested on November 16, 2024 on a DWI Charge and released on an unsecured bond.

Maria Francis Glenn DOB 04/04/1983 Photo Courtesy MCSO

Christine Lauren Hardin was arrested on November 2, 2024 on charges of domestic violence and simple assault. She was later released on an unsecured bond.

Christine Lauren Hardin DOB 01/11/1995 Photo Courtesy MCSO

Krisztina Szivia Dellinger arrested 11/10/2024 on an assault with a deadly weapon charge. She was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond.

Krisztina Szivia Dellinger DOB 05/15/1984 Photo Courtesy MCSO

All those above are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Turmoil at Sheriff’s Office with slurs and staff shakeups

Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden is making changes to the agency’s leadership while apologizing for racially inflammatory statements about department employees.

McFadden apologized on Nov. 14 in a prerecorded video for racially charged language he used in an audio recording obtained by WBTV earlier this month.

Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden released a video on Nov. 14 apologizing for racially inflammatory statements he made about department employees. The Sheriff’s Office has undergone major staff changes in the last month with resignation of Chief Deputy Kevin Canty in October and firing human resources director Rudyne Pearson and business operations director Angelia Riggsbee earlier this month.

“It doesn’t matter who recorded or how many years ago it was recorded, today I want to apologize for that language,” McFadden said in the video. “Held to a higher standard, that’s the office of the sheriff. But you must understand that I am human, and I am not perfect, and I will make mistakes.” 

In the recording, McFadden can be heard using bigoted language in describing Black and white people on his executive staff. He called a white captain a “cracker,” and an epithet to describe former chief deputy Rodney Collins, who is Black.

The North Carolina Sheriffs Association, which represents the state’s 100 sheriffs, issued a statement condemning McFadden’s language, adding that its executive committee voted to inquire into his conduct. 

McFadden fired two executive staff members – human resources director Rudyne Pearson, a five-year employee of the Sheriff’s Office, and business operations director Angelia Riggsbee earlier this month. Riggsbee was hired in March.

Both women who were terminated reported directly to Chief Deputy Kevin Canty, who resigned in October with a letter accusing McFadden of fostering a toxic work environment. In an interview with WBTV, Canty said McFadden pushed him to fire Riggsbee but Canty refused, telling McFadden it was without merit.

Deputy Canty's resignation letter is here.

“He told me that I could recommend it, which of course he doesn’t need that to fire anyone,” Canty told the station. “He was wanting me to be his hatchet man and to use me as a scapegoat to treat people unfairly.”

McFadden announced a series of appointments, including Christopher Allen as interim chief deputy and Shelby Jones as chief of staff.

“I am confident these leadership changes will bring the vision, integrity, and experience that’s needed to help the agency move forward,” McFadden said. “MCSO is poised to make significant strides for the future of our agency and the communities we serve. This is the beginning of a new chapter we will all work together to write.”

The staff additions are effective immediately.

Allen, who joined MCSO from the Union County Sheriff’s Office earlier this year, was chief of staff. He has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience.

Jones was McFadden’s first hire upon taking office in 2018 as executive assistant.

Shanta Williams is the new interim director of human resources while the agency conducts a search for a permanent director. Williams, who has been the Sheriff’s Office for almost 25 years, started as a fiscal analyst in business management and most recently was a human resources consultant.

Andrey Melkonyan was promoted to director of business operations. Melkonyan, who was hired in 2008, was accounting supervisor.

Cedar's Take:

The preceding is from the Charlotte Post on Sunday November 17th. 

 

It is time for a change in command as even the Charlotte Post has a loss of confidence in his ability to command.

Country Day School Coach Arrested

According to CMPD Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) have arrested and charged a former high school track coach in a Special Victims Division-Sexual Assault Unit (SAU) investigation.

On Friday, November 8, 2024, an adult victim reported to police that she had been in an inappropriate relationship with her former cross-country coach while enrolled at a local private high school.

The victim identified Matthew Elliott, 39, as the suspect.  The case was then assigned to the CMPD’s Sexual Assault Unit (SAU).

The victim told investigators that Elliott began initially flirting with her and made numerous advances and that they had an inappropriate relationship.

As a result of the investigation, detectives developed probable cause and obtained arrest warrants against Mr. Elliott.

On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, the CMPD detectives arrested Elliott at his home, without incident. He was taken to the Law Enforcement Center and later transported to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.

Matthew P Elliott Photo MCSO

He has been charged with the following:

Indecent Liberties with a Student (2 counts)

Charlotte Country Day School has confirmed Elliot was a Cross Country and Track & Field coach & substitute and had been w/the school since 2015. 

He’s since been terminated and barred from the campuses. This is the letter the school sent to its families, updating them on Elliot.

Mr. Elliott bonded out of jail late Thursday morning. 

Cedar's Take:

Y'all need to calm down. Reading comprehension counts. "Adult Victim" means she was 18. "Alum" means she was once a student and has since graduated. No telling what the real facts are but there will be no winners in this case.

I coached girls soccer and I had a firm "two foot rule". Stay at least two feet from the coach at all times. 

A "no contact rule" off the field. My cell number was not to be shared with players, only parents had the coach's cell number. Any player contacting the coach off the field in any way would be dropped from the team period. Since this was a travel team no player rides with the coach, ever! Not even with another adult.

All that said much to my shock on more than one occasion one of my players showed up at my house! One at Halloween and other at Christmas. Basically they were greeted with a kind by firm "git off my lawn".

Society has become so hyper sensitive about this that they created the law that Elliott was charged under.

So we have this person in an influence role (coach - teacher) and that makes it unlawful even if the victim is an adult (18 Years of Age). 

But making death threats against the guy is nuts. Y'all knock it off.

The truth is I saw these storm clouds on the horizon. The follow on from the Catholic Priest allegations in the 1990s and the Wilmington Daycare madness known as the Little Rascals Daycare case. 

As much as I liked coaching I gave that mess up.