National Police Week - Open Invitation

It’s National Police Week and therefore as was the case last year any CMPD Officer current and or retired who might find themselves out at the coast this Saturday the invitation from retired CMPD Sgt Whit Neal is come on by Ocean Isle Beach 1530 hours til the beer runs out.

A Lot of Questions Few Answers

Far removed from most of Charlotte citizens daily lives there are a group of law enforcement personnel who "operate" under the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF).

Background

The Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF) has partnership agreements with four federal and 68 state and local agencies; and operates in South Carolina and North Carolina . 

The Task Force (CRFTF) has apprehended more than 8,900 fugitives in the Carolinas since its inception.

Members of the Task Force are deputised US Marshals. It is the modern day equivalent of a US Marshal's pose in the American West during the late 1800's.

The Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF) began operations in January of 2018 under the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000. The Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF) is the newest Regional Fugitive Task Force. 

The US Marshal's website promotes the Task Force like this:

The Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF) has made an extraordinary impact on the apprehension of the region’s most dangerous and violent fugitives striving to make their communities a safer place.

Subject 

More than a week ago upon information and belief a warrant was secured for the arrest of a career felon.

Just months before four law enforcement officers were killed and five others were injured during a standoff, the man at the center of the deaths led police on a high-speed chase in Lincoln County.

Lincoln County Sheriff Bill Beam said one of his officers tried to pull over the suspect in January, but instead of stopping he decided to run. Sheriff Beam said a supervisor called off the short chase once the officer identified the license plate number, which was registered to a woman.

This was just another crime connected to the suspect. His list of convictions began 20 years ago and charges range from traffic to felony B&E. There are random weapons charges but nothing that would rise to this level of violence.

With 2 years and 3 months of total incarnation time according to the NCDOC.

But there are countless dismissed charges that cause alarm and then there are the crimes he committed that haven't been discovered. 

Task Force Operations

We will in good time learn what happened on Monday April 29th.

Sources familiar with the work of the US Marshal Task force say the Officers are extremely well trained and typically form a very cohesive team. 

Entry is typically made with a team stacked up at the door and quickly securing the interior of the premises and taking the suspect into custody. 

But the planning starts well before the arrest is made.

Intel is at the forefront. They talk to family, friends and informants. Cellphone pings and activity, technology surveillance is utilized and ultimately a plan is formulated.

The team may even set up in a nearby parking lot to practice the entry based of the knowledge before hand. 

Depending on the subject's habits the time of day for the arrest is made accordingly. It may have been that the suspect was known to take midday naps at the home at 5525 Galway Drive, Charlotte, NC, 28215. It may have been that he only occasionally stayed at the location. 

It is likely the team knew of the motion sensitive device on the right side of the house overlooking the driveway.

What we don't know is how the shooter managed to get a tactical advantage on the team before they could make entry.

US Marshals do not typically have BWCs so there may not be the typical fire fight video for review.

The response to the first shots fired officer down was without comparison. In the end it wasn't enough to save four heros.

North Carolina Department of Adult Correction Offices Sam Poloche and Alden Elliot, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Officer Joshua Eyer and US Deputy Marshal Tommy Weeks died a week ago. Forever heros.

We continue to seek answers.

One more thing - The cost of this event will be far greater reaching than many of us realize. Politicians that we have elected to Charlotte City Council are clueless and many of us who value and obey the law don't understand the complexity of policing. 

You will see the clowns who complain that going after a low level perp was a waste. But if you don't draw the line here then where? The public forgets that many of the crimes committed by career criminals go undetected. 

I get the entire hidey hole thing. I don't agree with it. Josh by all accounts was at the other end of the spectrum. 

Those who know me also know that my wife and I have a lot of family that work in public safety, among them a Battalion Chief, a former FBI internet crimes now Bank Fraud Investigator, a retired CMPD Sergeant, two former Independence Division Officers one on disability (damn overachiever) two Rookie Officers . A former West Virginia Bureau of Criminal Investigations Agent, a US State Department Diplomatic Security Special Agent and one stand up guy who is also a part of the CRFTF. So yeah last Monday was hard.

Monday April 29, 2024 - It's Been a Hard Day

U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force Officers were attempting to serve an arrest warrant on a career felon when the subject shot 8 members of the team killing 3. Wounding five others. One of the wounded was CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer who succumbed to his injuries hours later. Two of the dead are NC Adult Correction Officers Sam Poloche and Alden Elliott. The deceased US Deputy Marshal has been identified as Thomas Weeks. The four injured Task Force Members including CMPD Officers are expected to recover from their injuries.

This is a tragedy that not only weighs heavy on Charlotte but also our entire Nation.

This afternoon at just after 2 pm Mrs. Cedar did what 100s of other CMPD family members did, she checked in with those who know. She ran through a list of friends and family asking if they are they OK? 

A buddy check just to be sure everyone was safe. The response was thankfully a short "We're OK I've got to go".

But we are not OK we are all family and we all hurt.

Prayers for all our CMPD Officers and their families, prayers for the members of our United States Marshals Service and their families. Prayers for our North Carolina Department of Adult Correction Correction Officers and their families. Prayers for our Nation.

To those who step up to form that thin blue line, we will never forget. We are forever indebted to you and your families.

CP

Question for Y'all

Someone sent an email asking about South Charlotte pedo perp and what turns out to be a very recent arrest. 

While I really detest pedos perverts and child molestors but I don't think pointing out this case will serve any real purpose or help protect any other kids.

But the concern is these cases are just dismissed like so many other cases by the Meck DA and Judges.

Anyone have any suggestions?

CMPD PIO Perp Walk

No surprise that CMPD is feeling the "heat" since homicides in the Queen City are up during the 1st quarter.

But not lost on most of Charlotte is the fact that property crimes that affect many of us residents are also up.

Apparently someone within CMPD thought it a good idea to call attention to areas were CMPD has had success.

This week CMPD's public information officer has proudly announced a couple of notable arrests:

On January 29, 2024, a CMPD detective in the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) was proactively monitoring cameras at Brookshire Boulevard and Hoskins Road.

The detective observed a distinctive looking Jeep that strongly resembled a vehicle that was used in an auto theft the day prior in the Metro Division on Freedom Drive.

James Antonio Johnson Photo MCSO

The detective notified Metro and Freedom Division officers who responded and located the vehicle. The driver was detained and identified as 18-year-old James Antonio Johnson. He had active warrants for auto theft and was placed under arrest. Johnson is a prolific auto theft suspect with multiple prior felony arrests. During the vehicle search, officers also located a gun with an obliterated serial number.

Our patrol officers, RTCC, Telecommunications, Aviation, K-9 and other specialty units all do a phenomenal job working in tandem to quickly arrest dangerous and repeat offenders.

And

Great work by CMPD’s Westover Division arresting a repeat commercial breaking and entering suspect. Antonito Smith, 19, is facing approximately 60 charges. 

Antonito Smith Photo MCSO

On March 27, officers responded to a commercial breaking and entering call at a retail store on Park Road. A suspect, later identified as Smith, was caught on camera breaking in and attempting to pry open an ATM open inside the store. Officers quickly responded to the area and after a brief foot chase, arrested Smith. Detectives were able to close 23 active cases with his arrest. 

From Smith's Arrest Sheet:

The suspect is being charged with 33 counts of breaking and entering, 22 counts of larceny after breaking and entering, 3 counts of break into a coin/currency machine, 1 count of resist,  delay and obstruct, and possession of burglary tools  night (3/27/24) was wearing the same clothing when he broke into, the Walgreens and all the same clothing was found on his person or in his path of flight. 

The suspect was transported to the Westover Division Office where he waived his adult  Miranda rights and agreed to speak with a detective. 

The suspect stated that he is homeless and admitted that he broke into the Walgreens to-try and get cash. The suspect was asked about all other cases that detectives were investigating where commercial businesses were broken into. 

He was told that there was video surveillance showing the suspect wearing the same clothing that he had on for all of the other cases. The suspect stated that he already told detectives that he is homeless, and times are tough, and he needed money. The suspect went on to say that he was caught, and he is wearing the.clothes that he always has on.

In the month of March alone, the Westover Division has made 19 arrests, including nine breaking and entering arrests and four larceny from auto arrests. 

We want to recognize the overall amazing work of officers and detectives in the Westover Division and their dedication to keeping their communities safe.

But not everyone is happy with CMPD's efforts:

Justin LaFrancois who identifies himself as "Alt-weekly publisher" awarded "Best liberal garbage pile masquerading as a media outlet" complained to CMPD via "X": 

"The only mugshots you’ve posted this year are of Black men. You’re upholding the narrative and basis upon which the department was formed—that Black people must be policed, detained and humiliated in the public square. You arrest white people for crimes daily, let’s see those."

So we took a look at the 77 arrests on Wednesday and only 8 of those who were arrested by CMPD are listed as Caucasian, 3 women two with DUI and one shop lifting, the 5 men a mixture of protective order violations DUI and one B&E two counts. Not much to get excited about. 

Antonito Smith remains in the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff. James Johnson was released on April 5, 2024. 

Juliet Ann Nowicki Idiots Among Us

Juliet Ann Nowicki it seems was having a large time as Sunday night became Monday morning and then FIVE-O just happened to "unfairly" light her happy ass up.

Juliet Ann Nowicki Photo Courtesy MCSO

The 23 year-old was apparently arrested by CMPD Officers on suspicion of driving while impaired. Reports state that she initially refused consent to breathalyzer but apparently later blew a .23.

She was released around 6 AM Monday on a promise to appear. Her next court appearance is May 16, 2024.

Judge Elizabeth Trosch Out as Mecklenburg County Chief Judge

Elizabeth Trosch, the Mecklenburg County Chief District Court Judge, has been removed from office effective May 1, 2024.

Chief Judge Elizabeth Trosch 

North Carolina Chief Justice Paul Newby has decided to replace her on May 1. Roy Wiggins, who holds Seat 12 in Mecklenburg County's court system, will take her position.

Trosch was appointed as Chief Judge in February 2020, following the retirement of former Chief Judge Regan Miller.

Trosch continued Judge Miller's no cash bail and slap on the wrist mandates that made Mecklenburg County's criminal justice system a running joke among felons and repeat offenders.

Mecklenburg County Court officials have faced concerns over low bonds given to people charged with violent crimes. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden, and Mecklenburg County DA Spencer Merriweather were all outspoken about this issue. 

But it took a Republican controlled North Carolina state legislature to pass The Pretrial Integrity Act in 2023 to mitigate these issues.

Wiggins has held his District Court Judge seat since 2018.

Still Judge Trosch brushed aside criticism and address what she thought were her accomplishments in a memo released on Tuesday.

The memo released by Judge Trosh:

On April 22, 2024, the Chief Justice informed me that he wants a different direction in leadership for Mecklenburg and that he has appointed Judge Roy Wiggins to the post of Chief District Court Judge effective May 1, 2024.

It has been a privilege and an honor to serve Mecklenburg County as the Chief District Court Judge over the last four years. I have endeavored to improve our courts by spear-heading collaborative reforms that have advanced procedural justice and improved outcomes across the district. We have come through the COVID19 pandemic stronger—having executed successful backlog reduction strategies and implemented data driven case management strategies bringing our pending case inventory down to pre-pandemic levels for most case types. Together, we coordinated the successful launch of e-Courts in Mecklenburg County—shepherding our district through the greatest transformation of the courts in our generation.

I am proud of the work we have done together to ensure justice for our community without favor, denial, or delay. We have reduced non-motor vehicle pending cases to 48% below pre-pandemic levels. Our criminal trial courts are more efficient bringing 230% more Driving While Impaired cases to trial and increasing dispositions by 78% compared to FY2019. Similarly, we have brought our felony pending case inventory down from 6,721 cases at the height of the pandemic to 2,373 cases—158% below pre-pandemic levels.

We have successfully reduced our domestic pending cases to below pre-pandemic numbers. Despite taking 43% more domestic filings than the next largest district, we have outperformed Wake County with 85% more dispositions in the last fiscal year. Our Family Court has been effective and efficient having completed 65% more property distribution trials and 100% more child support and child custody trials.

The lack of affordable housing in Mecklenburg County has stretched our general civil court to unparalleled capacity. We have experienced a six-fold increase in eviction cases since 2013. Eviction filings in Mecklenburg County account for 48% of eviction filings statewide. Nevertheless, through data driven case management strategies, we have kept pace with over 70 bench trials per week in our civil courtroom.

As leadership of this district transitions to a new chief, I am confident that I have left it better than I found it. In partnership with local leaders, court staff and partners, a strong foundation has been laid for Mecklenburg to be the most productive and efficient district in the state.