Monday, April 29, 2024

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

Sunday, April 28, 2024

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?

Friday, April 26, 2024

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. 

Wednesday, April 24, 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.



Tuesday, April 23, 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.

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Crime Duo Terrorize Charlotte

Remember back on March 28 when CMPD finally caught up with Carlos Clark and seized his Corvette after he taunting Officers on line? Charged with 10 counts and released less than 12 hours later?


Carlos Clark 3/28/2024 Photo MCSO

Early Friday morning he was arrested again this time 7 counts and the bond is set at 100k.


Carlos Clark 4/20/2024 Photo MCSO

But here's an interesting twist Carlos has a twin brother.


Christopher Clark was also arrested by MCSO on charges of possession with intent and trafficking as well a drug paraphernalia. His bond $25,000.00 unsecured.

Carlos Clark posted bond and was released just after midnight on Saturday.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department was proud to announce when officers caught a viral video poster who allegedly initiated police chases in a stolen Corvette Z06. It turns out the suspect has a twin brother, and now he’s facing the same charges after detectives found weapons and drugs during the investigation.
CMPD posted a video in early April when Carlos Clark was arrested for reckless driving and initiating police chases. Clark allegedly ran an Instagram and TikTok account called “stolenz06,” which would show videos of a Corvette running from CMPD officers.
CMPD said the Corvette was tied to at least 10 attempted traffic stops. In one case on Jan. 26, the car reached 90 miles per hour in a 35-mph zone on N. Sharon Amity Road. On March 6, police claim the car went 103 mph while fleeing an officer on Providence Road.

Police said Clark had barricaded himself inside a home on Marita Drive until he surrendered before his arrest. Investigators seized more than one hundred fifty pounds of drugs, including THC vials, THC edibles, mushrooms, and marijuana, along with four guns from inside the house.

According to court documents, police found identification information for Carlos Clark and his twin brother, Christopher Clark, inside the home. A CMPD investigator wrote that because Christopher also lived at the home where police found guns and drugs, warrants for his arrest would also be sought.

Christopher was arrested on Friday and then released from the Mecklenburg County Detention Center Friday afternoon, according to jail records. He’s facing charges of possession of a Schedule One controlled substance and trafficking in marijuana.

According to CMPD the corvette was wanted in so many flee and elude incidents they've lost track but at least 18 by some relcolations.

During one incident Carlos Clark was estimated to be traveling at better than 90 mile an hour when he ran a red light. Police believe the car itself may have been stolen out of Maryland. It’s unclear if Christopher Clark was driving the car during any of the police encounters, but he looks like the suspect seen in videos.

Carlos Clark was arrested in 2023 on charges of DWLR and Flee Elude and those charges were dismissed by Mecklenburg DA Spencer Merriweather's office in January of this year.

Other charges and arrests, hit and run, damage to property, resisting, fail to heed, improper passing, speeding, reckless driving and more.

Maybe the probation violation will firm-up.

Maybe the media will take a closer look at his priors and all the free passes he's enjoyed.

Nah who are we kidding?

Just another example of the Meck DA's unwillingness to prosecute even repeat offenders and the elected judges who are soft on crime and willing enablers.

Carlos Clark remains free on a secured bond with an electronic monitoring and a 6PM to 6AM curfew. Up coming court dates in June.

Christopher remains free on an unsecured bond.

Friday, April 19, 2024

First Homicide of the Weekend


Jamal Dade 45 was found shot to death early this morning in the Embassy Suites parking lot of South Tryon Street. 

Jamal Dade Photo MCSO

Also at the hotel was the ex-wife Shememeka Dade who has been charged with first degree murder.


Shememeka Dade Photo MCSO

Jamal had be arrested last July 3, 2023 on the charge of assault on a female. No word if the victim in that case was Shememeka but it stands to reason.

This is the world of that we have created in Charlotte. Life on the streets is cheap real cheap. Embassy Suites are usually nice hotels with business travelers. But this location moved away from professional people to serving the extended stay cheap rooms demographic. 

Too many hotels too many empty rooms and so here we are. 

Ditto with apartments a glut of apartments in Steele Creek and put the crime rate ever higher.

39 bodies since January 1st. Wow!


Thursday, April 18, 2024

CMPD Lieutenant Arrested and Charged for Financial Crimes

 

Charlotte, N.C. - (April 17, 2024) – The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) is conducting a criminal investigation that resulted in the arrest of CMPD Lieutenant Warith Muhammad.

Lt. Muhammad has been charged with one count of felony Financial Transaction Card Fraud and one count of felony Conspiracy to Commit Financial Transaction Card Fraud. 

Investigators determined that the incidents occurred outside of work and did not involve the functions of his job. Muhammad turned himself in at 11:30 p.m. on April 16 and was processed overnight.

CMPD Internal Affairs is conducting a parallel investigation. Lt. Muhammad is currently on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the internal investigation.

Lieutenant Muhammad was hired on Oct. 18, 2010, and is currently assigned to the Central Division.

Statement from Chief Jennings:

"The arrest of our own lieutenant is a devastating blow to the trust we've worked tirelessly to build with this community. We hold ourselves to an uncompromising standard of integrity, and any violation is a betrayal of that sacred oath. But let me be absolutely clear: the CMPD has zero tolerance for misconduct, regardless of rank or tenure. The decisive action taken by investigators sends a powerful message – no badge is a shield for illegal behavior. The law applies equally to every citizen, and that includes those who wear our uniform. This incident is a painful reminder that we are all fallible, but it also demonstrates our unwavering commitment to accountability. We will investigate this matter thoroughly and ensure that justice is served. The people we are sworn to protect deserve nothing less.” 


Cedar's Take:

I don't know the facts and won't make judgement. But it seems this doesn't help perception of CMPD with much of the community that looks for any excuse to call out Officers. Interesting that using the word thug to describe a certain criminal demographic is racist but one bad cop means ACB and the local media goes total dog pile.

Y'all keep your head down, but stay proud you are our only hope. And let's be careful out there.

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Community and Police Collaboration Group Final Recommendations to CMPD April 2024

After several months the community and police collaboration Group released their report.

Below is the actual CMPD response (in blue) to the group's recommendations.

Today, CMPD responded to 17 recommendations that were made by the Community and Police Collaboration Group across the areas of de-escalation, response to resistance and marijuana use and enforcement. 

The group was formed in November 2023, following a use-of-force incident on Nov.13 outside of a Bojangles’ restaurant on S. Tryon Street. The CMPD will implement recommendations including building a separate focus on de-escalation in the department’s Response to Resistance Policy.

The Community and Police Collaboration Group is comprised of multiple organizations across @CLTgov  including the City’s Community Relations Committee, members of the CMPD, the Citizens Review Board, the NAACP, the Latin American Coalition, Clergy members, CMPD Ambassadors, Action NC and the George Floyd Global Memorial. The group met for several months resulting in constructive conversations between the CMPD and a diverse group of community stakeholders.

De-Escalation Techniques and Training 

1. Improve Early Intervention System (EIS) to add additional factors for a more holistic approach. 

  • Example of factors to review: Add call types that officers are responding to, amount of benefit time used, amount of secondary employment hours used (maxing out hours?) 
  • There should be more transparency about the factors while maintaining officer privacy. 

The Early Intervention System (EIS) is a data-driven, proactive approach used by CMPD to identify officers who may be at risk of misconduct, public complaints or other negative outcomes. CMPD upgraded its EIS in 2023. The data points identified in the system are confidential as they relay specific personnel information.  

We will consider adding variables.  

We can also work on aggregating EIS data for reports and consider providing public information when we complete the Internal Affairs annual report. 

2. Start police/community interactions with younger children in elementary schools; also include a focus on kids through 12th grade. 

  • Develop a better collaboration between the Police Activities League (PAL) and Mecklenburg County to engage elementary aged students, parents and officers. 
  • Include other youth programming in addition to PAL such as Kops & Kids and other opportunities to engage parents and kids in K-12 
  • Maybe implement an orientation specifically for parents of children who participate in these programs so that these parents can build relationships with officers and transfer knowledge to kids. 

There are School Resource Officers in all middle schools and high schools in Mecklenburg County.   

Our Community Services Division is exploring potential PAL expansion, age expansion for other programming and developing and implementing an orientation for parents participating in these programs. 

CMPD launched a tutoring program with the lowest performing CMS schools in reading and math. We have “reading buddy” groups within Thomasboro, Hidden Valley and Westerly Hills Middle Schools to increase police interactions with youth and reinforce the importance of education and appropriate behaviors. Program expansion is challenging due to staffing constraints.   

We also have our IMPACT (Introducing Meaningful Possibilities and Changing Trajectories) group which is an in-school mentoring group that focuses on providing positive, therapeutic environments within the school day for youth and CMPD employees to discuss making positive decisions, life skills, career opportunities, stress coping techniques to de-escalate conflicts and more. 

We currently have groups in Turning Point Alternative Academies, West Charlotte High School, Thomasboro Middle School, Chambers High School, MLK Middle School, Harding High School, and soon to add Garinger High School.  

3. Slow down, assess situation, start conversation and then proceed. More person-to-person interactions. 

Officer approach is key. Share officer de-escalation training, real-life engagement and more with the community. 

CMPD agrees with this approach when appropriate. This process is practiced during various trainings that are administered at the Police Academy. We will continue to evaluate annually through training assessments.  

4. Implement additional customer service training.

Group is aware of CMPD Serves training, but they expressed interest in additional training options. 

CMPD is already training 10 out of 12 months on customer service training. CMPD is currently on its third installment of customer service training, focusing on the power of mindset. Customer Service continues to be a priority for CMPD, and we are working to incorporate more of these lessons throughout other courses. 

5. There should be an overall external assessment of the current de-escalation process and training.  

Recommend that an assessment of de-escalation techniques takes place during BWC reviews. 

CMPD is considering this recommendation for an external assessment. De-escalation techniques are already assessed during BWC reviews by supervisors and also during response to resistance investigations.   

6. Involve community in de-escalation training. 

Determine how to include community member participation in de-escalation training. 

CMPD is considering this recommendation. However, it is challenging to depend on community members for consistency considering scheduling, logistics, etc.  

7. Implement more regular de-escalation training.  

De-escalation training should be incorporated into as many training opportunities as possible. 

CMPD has implemented updated de-escalation programming into all phases of training to include inservice training for current officers, recruit training for recently hired officers and leadership training for new and current supervisors. This training is disseminated multiple times on an annual basis and is constantly being evaluated for relevance and effectiveness.  

The State of NC (Training and Standards) adds some aspects of annual in-service in addition to updated aspects of de-escalation training in the new BLET pilot program for recruits.   

8. Explore the possibility of utilizing walking beats on a minor scale that are specific to communities.  

Implementation should include community input and determination of using the right officer. 

Walking beats are utilized at the division level depending on staffing, weather, community involvement and other factors. CMPD is considering the logistics involved in obtaining community input for these beats and how that input could impact walking beat executions throughout the jurisdiction. 

9. Develop and implement a separate stand-alone De-Escalation Policy.  

This would be the creation of a new policy separate from the Response to Resistance Policy. 

CMPD is working on developing an addendum to the Response to Resistance Policy focused on de-escalation. 

Use of Force/Response to Resistance Policy 

1. Should incorporate impacted family members with recruit classes during the academy regularly to understand on a personal level how their position is impactful. 

Deputy Chief Bryley has already talked with Paris Stevens (George Floyd’s cousin), and she is interested in participating. 

CMPD agrees with this recommendation and is working on identifying individuals to participate during the academy process. CMPD is already coordinating Paris Stevens (George Floyd’s cousin) to attend and share testimonials. 

2. Request for city council to increase budget so that the CARES team can be extended and expanded. 

  • Recommend for the team to grow in number of team members and scale the group to respond to the entire jurisdiction. 
  • Recommend for the team to move under a different department so that CMPD does not manage this effort enhancing independence and credibility. 

CMPD agrees with these recommendations for the team to expand and also be relocated under another city department to enhance credibility. CMPD is currently working with the City Manager’s Office on next steps for this program. 

3. Peroneal nerve should not be allowed to be struck repeatedly before reassessment techniques are implemented. 

Add more training around strikes and reassessments. 

CMPD agrees with the recommendation that officers should continuously assess the need for peroneal nerve strikes. Officers are trained to assess if any pain compliance techniques are working or not. Once compliance is achieved, officers are taught to stop using that technique.  

4. Need stronger enforcement of Duty to Intervene policy. 

Create a clear actionable policy that not only requires intervention once excessive force is being used but also in the early stages when deescalation techniques could/should be implemented. 

Duty to Intervene can be complex and looks different based on the situation. Regarding this incident, some of the communications tactics used and the use-of-force reporting were part of Duty to Intervene. 

Marijuana Use and Enforcement 

1. Reassess the effectiveness and curriculum of the implicit bias training for all officers. 

Create an RFP and hire an outside auditor to assess. 

Starting in 2025, CMPD is implementing new implicit bias training.  

2. Not stop to investigate or arrest for the smell or smoking by individual of what appears to be marijuana only. 

Do not stop someone just for the smell of marijuana. 

Marijuana continues to be illegal under both North Carolina and federal law at this time. Officers continue to have the discretion to enforce the legal standard --- either a voluntary contact, investigative detention or make an arrest --- depending on the situation encountered. 

3. CMPD should push for marijuana legalization in NC. 

This recommendation was not unanimous but had majority consent by the committee. 

CMPD will not advocate for the legalization of a product that currently violates the law. 

4. Develop a standardized method of communication to prevent subjectivity of the officers who decide whether to stop and enforce or not.   

  • During the initial interaction with the individual, add to training more explanation about maybe not going to jail and potentially getting a citation (assuming the person is cooperative). 
  • CMPD should have a SOP outlining that people receive a citation, assuming the person is cooperative and there are no other illegal factors

CMPD encourages the issuance of citations or warning tickets when appropriate for these types of interactions pending cooperation is achieved and there are no other illegal factors involved. 


Cedar's Take: You need to keep in mind the group is made up from segments of Charlotte most likely to be not victims of crime or law abiding citizens but rather of a certain defund the police mindset.

It was nice to see CMPD stand their ground on some items.

The bottom line is while the optics of the Bojangles "dog pile" are not attractive the de-escalation should have come from those being questioned and detained. Stop resisting. Stop carrying concealed weapons unlawfully. There was no reason for the female to resist and the male should not have given the officers a bunch of BS.

Finally the DA dropping the charges of resisting sets a really bad example. He could have very effectively dropped all charges except the resisting and it would have sent a better message than any of this BLM BS.








Monday, April 8, 2024

Dekerion Wallace Go Big or Go Home!

Dekerion Wallace was picked up by CMPD last Thursday on 34 outstanding warrants. 32 of which are out of Dare County.  The Mecklenburg team reduce his bail on the two charges of assault on a female to unsecured. 

It remains to be seen what happens with the charges out of Dare County.


Photo Courtesy of MCSO




1901078 23CR442437-1 MISDEMEANOR $3,000.00 SEC ASSAULT ON A FEMALE

1901078 23CR442437-1 MISDEMEANOR $3,000.00 SEC ASSAULT ON A FEMALE

1901078 23CRS385116-1 FELONY $5,000.00 SEC UTTERING A FORGED INSTRUMENT

1901078 23CRS385116-1 FELONY $5,000.00 SEC UTTERING A FORGED INSTRUMENT

1901078 23CRS385116-2 FELONY $-    CONSOL OBTAIN PROPERTY FALSE PRETENSE

1901078 23CRS385116-2 FELONY $-    CONSOL OBTAIN PROPERTY FALSE PRETENSE

1901078 23CRS385116-3 FELONY $-    CONSOL POSS 5+ COUNTERFEIT INSTRUMENT

1901078 23CRS385116-3 FELONY $-    CONSOL POSS 5+ COUNTERFEIT INSTRUMENT

1901078 23CRS385116-4 FELONY $-    CONSOL FELONY CONSPIRACY

1901078 23CRS385116-4 FELONY $-    CONSOL FELONY CONSPIRACY

1901078 23CRS375813-1 FELONY $5,000.00 SEC UTTERING A FORGED INSTRUMENT

1901078 23CRS375813-1 FELONY $5,000.00 SEC UTTERING A FORGED INSTRUMENT

1901078 23CRS375813-2 FELONY $-    CONSOL OBTAIN PROPERTY FALSE PRETENSE

1901078 23CRS375813-2 FELONY $-    CONSOL OBTAIN PROPERTY FALSE PRETENSE

1901078 23CRS375813-3 FELONY $-    CONSOL POSS 5+ COUNTERFEIT INSTRUMENT

1901078 23CRS375813-3 FELONY $-    CONSOL POSS 5+ COUNTERFEIT INSTRUMENT

1901078 23CRS375813-4 FELONY $-    CONSOL FELONY CONSPIRACY

1901078 23CRS375813-4 FELONY $-    CONSOL FELONY CONSPIRACY

1901078 23CRS375816-1 FELONY $5,000.00 SEC UTTERING A FORGED INSTRUMENT

1901078 23CRS375816-1 FELONY $5,000.00 SEC UTTERING A FORGED INSTRUMENT

1901078 23CRS375816-2 FELONY $-    CONSOL OBTAIN PROPERTY FALSE PRETENSE

1901078 23CRS375816-2 FELONY $-    CONSOL OBTAIN PROPERTY FALSE PRETENSE

1901078 23CRS375816-3 FELONY $-    CONSOL POSS 5+ COUNTERFEIT INSTRUMENT

1901078 23CRS375816-3 FELONY $-    CONSOL POSS 5+ COUNTERFEIT INSTRUMENT

1901078 23CRS375816-4 FELONY $-    CONSOL FELONY CONSPIRACY

1901078 23CRS375816-4 FELONY $-    CONSOL FELONY CONSPIRACY

1901078 23CRS375829-1 FELONY $5,000.00 SEC UTTERING A FORGED INSTRUMENT

1901078 23CRS375829-1 FELONY $5,000.00 SEC UTTERING A FORGED INSTRUMENT

1901078 23CRS375829-2 FELONY $-    CONSOL OBTAIN PROPERTY FALSE PRETENSE

1901078 23CRS375829-2 FELONY $-    CONSOL OBTAIN PROPERTY FALSE PRETENSE

1901078 23CRS375829-3 FELONY $-    CONSOL POSS 5+ COUNTERFEIT INSTRUMENT

1901078 23CRS375829-3 FELONY $-    CONSOL POSS 5+ COUNTERFEIT INSTRUMENT

1901078 23CRS375829-4 FELONY $-    CONSOL FELONY CONSPIRACY

1901078 23CRS375829-4 FELONY $-    CONSOL FELONY CONSPIRACY




Saturday, April 6, 2024

The Murder of Makayla Johnson How Our System of Justice Failed Her and Her Children

Benjamin Taylor the man you apparently murdered a Charlotte mother and her two children, has been extradited back to North Carolina and is now in the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.



Taylor is accused of killing 22-year-old Makayla Johnson and her two children, four-year-old, Miracle, and seven-month-old, Messiah.

Taylor's criminal record extends more than a decade with more than a dozen arrests for drugs, weapons and domestic violence. He served 6 months in prison back in 2007 so this is not his first rodeo and he should not have been out on bail when he murdered this young woman.

Markayla Johnson and her children would be alive today had the system not failed her.

And so here is where it gets stupid.

Taylor was arrested in September of 2023 for "possession of a firearm by felon" his second time and felony possession of cocaine as well as carrying concealed weapon - gun.

Considering that he'd already been arrested a dozen times and convicted on 3 occasions since his release from prison on 2008 including several charges of "failure to appear" on his record he should not have been out on a low dollar bail.


Still he was released on a secured bond of only $5,000.00 of which he paid $750.00.

That 2023 case was continued on September 2nd, and 6th with a public defender appointed on the 7th and continued again on the 26th of September. On December 11th the case was assigned to ADA Madeline Dent Guise and probable cause hearing was waived with Judge Elizabeth Trosch presiding. Yet no trial date was ever set. The Mecklenburg DA apparently saw the case as a low priority.

Taylor was free on bond without supervision when he murdered Makayla Johnson and her children.

Long Long List of Charges Dismissed

Taylor was arrested on 7/28/2016 and charged with "Assault by Strangulation" those charges were dismissed in May of 2017.

In addition his record indicates more than a dozen other arrests that were dismissed for crimes such as, Assault Inflicting Physical Injury of a Law Enforcement Officer, Assault on a female, Domestic Violence Protective Order Violation and Communicating Threats.

Since his release from prison he's been convicted on 3 different occasions, 2012, 2017 and 2020. These convictions resulted from 7 different charges including "habitual misdemeanor assault" a felony.

But each time this violent offender avoided prison being sentenced to only probation.

Despite all these endless "second chances" Taylor continued to live a violent life of crime and total disregard for laws or human life.

Our judicial system failed Makayla Johnson and it ultimately came down to the courtroom of Mecklenburg County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Trosch who in December of last year had the final say on his continued freedom.



Friday, April 5, 2024

Jessica (April 2014)

Cedar Posts is going to take a divergent path the next couple of weeks, under the title Jessica.

This is not going to be a pleasant journey. 

I have actually struggled with telling what I know and putting it all into perspective. The words don't come easy. 

Let me start with the end. Jessica is dead, she was only 18 when she took her own life.

I'm going to tell not of her death, the details or the reasons, as you the reader I will leave that in your hands, but rather her life and the time during which got to know her.

The words may change, I may put some down only to decide later that I've told too much, or that the picture the words paint is too troubling or worse too critical. 

I'm older than her father, but that doesn't cross my mind as I watch her bound out of the passenger side of red honda that has parked too close to my Lexus SUV. 

I watch with the leering eyes of a dirty old man watching teenage girls along a South Carolina wind sweep beach during the heat of midday in August, the constant sound of the ocean and salt filling the air. 

For an instant she glances my way as she stumbles and catches herself on the right front fender of my truck. I smile, she laughs an acknowledgement that there was no harm, no foul. 

The driver of the Honda emerges I instinctively suspect boyfriend until the angry look slams my lustful daydream back to reality. Short cropped hair, auto repairman work shirt and full of hate. Jessica's boyfriend is a dike. Mean angry man hating and as I quickly notice, very controlling full blown bitch dike.

The dike, who in the months to follow I will learn is called Cat is really Katherine Elizabeth but Cat fits her.

Cat's look is pure hate, she says something to Jessica and the young girl's playfulness dissolves to stoic as Cat arms up with her pulling her away like an arresting police officer.

If close my eyes and I can still see her smile, her hand on the side of my car and her unbridled joy of her youth. Over the last few months I've visited denial, anger, pure overwhelming grief and now thankfully acceptance over the loss of someone I only met in person a dozen times but had countless exchanges with over Facebook and Twitter.  

I'm in my car waiting on Mrs Cedar at a place called In-XS a hair salon, I have the Yorkie, who sits on my knee looking out the window for all to see.  It is the Yorkie that lures Jessica to the drivers side window a few minutes later. Cat is nowhere to be seen and Jessica is a bubbling 18 year old again, 

Can I say hello? I offer that the Yorkie is very friendly. Much making over my wife's four pounds of happy fur continues until Cat rains on Jessica's fun. She grabs Jessica's hand with such force I'm temporarily thinking of saying something, but I look away.

A minute later the Honda winds up and charges down Providence Road, never to be seen again or so I thought. 

About a week later at the Harris Teeter I hear an unfamiliar voice: "Hey you're the guy with the little dog aren't you?" I'm caught off guard then it clicks Jessica from In-XS. She's with her parents and expands on "the yorkie" and how she'd love to have one. Her parents seem kind and caring as they endure my sales pitch for rescued dogs and YorkieRescue.com and Cat is nowhere is sight and Jessica seems to be all the better for that.

It would be a month maybe longer before I'd bump into Jessica again this time she's with Cat who has a grip on her arm Walmart Security taking a suspected shoplifter in for questioning. 

I'm hard to miss, but not a smile, a hello or even acknowledgment from Jessica. Cat clearly is in control, the tension is thick yet the other High School kids seem at ease. Laughing and doing what High School kids do at Chipotle after school.

I'm inside with Mrs. Cedar when I see a young man and not Jessica approach my car and leave a brown napkin under the windshield wiper.

A half hour later the napkin reads "can you email me the website for the Yorkie rescue place. Pleeeeeze! Jessica" with her gmail addy.

I'm not in the habit of emailing teenage girls. It takes me a week to respond. When I do it is from my company email with no so much as hi, just the web address: YorkieRescue.Com

A month later I get an email that says "Thank You soooo much I found a Yorkie to rescue and I'm going to pick her up in Raleigh on Saturday.

Included is a facebook link with a dozen pictures of furry cuteness. And sure enough within a week there are dozens of photos of a little Yorkie named Boo.

Boo lived about five months before she found him dead in her parents back yard. During this time I have no contact with Jessica, a random facebook post would show up in my newsfeed. All seemed well, but the photo of her and Cat seemed off.

Somehow I sensed not all was well, not that they didn't look like an openly gay couple, just that they didn't seem to click. Her facebook posts stopped after her RIP Boo photo.

A month later she posted a comment on a photo of my two labs. I commented back and a day later a massive long email showed up.

"I need some advice and I don't trust my friends or family"...... the rest of the email I'll just truncate to these facts, Cat had killed her dog, her relationship with Cat began as a dare, and she felt compelled to have their relationship out of peer pressure, in order to fit in with her friends. She had a "real boyfriend" but everyone hated him. But Cat was abusive and controlling, Jessica says she had once broke off the relationship only to be beaten so badly by Cat that she missed nearly two weeks of school. She didn't want the cops or her parents involved but wanted to end the relationship with Cat somehow. But she feared rejection from her friends and didn't want to be alone.

The last part was a cry for help that I didn't recognize "I've thought about killing myself to be with Boo" but can't afford to buy enough drugs lol"

More....

(Cedar Update: The more never came. I ran out of words. Now ten years later I'm still haunted by what I saw, what I know, what I should have done. When I was in high school there were no gays, no dikes, no trans, no non binary or any other bull shit. Just normal boys, who liked girls, and girls who like boys. The greatest peer pressure in high school was to "do it" and then tell about it. What have we done to our children?)

I took the random posts and put them here in one place year it happened. I have photos of Jessica and Boo and of Cat. I will not post. But I can't delete them. I didn't know Jessica and might have spoken to her parents once in the grocery store. I've never seen an obituary, didn't attend a funeral or memorial service.  

I should have done something. We all need to do something. 

Thursday, April 4, 2024

Bad Boyz Bad Boyz

CMPD PIO team took an unexpected turn this week posting the video montage below.




“You can run but you can’t hide.” That’s what Charlotte Mecklenburg Police (CMPD) posted Wednesday to announce they seized a 2018 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 after hitting a police car and taunting police.

CMPD says its Operation SCARLET (Stolen Car and Recovery Law Enforcement Team) started looking into a possibly stolen or cloned Chevrolet Corvette Z06 that had fled from traffic stops multiple times in the area.

After posting the video clips and weapons CMPD did a little clean-up on aisle 3. 

let us clear them up.

CMPD detectives found the owner’s identity and a social media account with video of the vehicle speeding away from officers. It was determined that the car was not stolen.


Clark was arrested on March 29 and bonded out the same day. His next court date is April 17th and then again on April 19.

Early Friday this video appears to show CMPD Officers attempting to detain Clark while driving his Corvette notice the 360 camera on a selfie stick attached to rear deck of the car.