Joe Bruno's Report on Garry McFadden and Ice

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

The dispute between ICE and Sheriff Garry McFadden continues.

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

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

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

Mecklenburg County Sheriff

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

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

Here is a breakdown of the events:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Malik Shropshire Case for Permanent Incarceration

According to local television media:

A man is facing charges after police say he spit in a little boy’s face at SouthPark Mall. Malik Shropshire is charged with assault on a child under 12 and second-degree trespassing.

According to arrest warrants, it happened Sunday afternoon in the children’s play area. Police say he spit in the four-year-old’s face and then ran off. Police arrested him at a nearby Walgreens.

According to investigators, he was already banned from the mall and the Walgreens where he was arrested.

But this is not Shropshire's first rodeo:

Shropshire has 23 of arrests over the last three years in Mecklenburg county alone. 

The 52 year old has 18 convictions covering the entire spectrum of crimes from B&E, Kidnapping, drugs and weapons charges, to credit card theft and armed robbery dating back to 1989.

Countless dismissals in Mecklenburg County thanks to DA Merriweather. Endless failure to appear cases. Motor vehicle citations for no driver's license no insurance and theft from an ABC Store.  

He has served more than six years in prison and should now be considered incorrigible and should imediabaty be permentably incarcerated or commited.

He is a danger to society and himself and the courts have a duty to protect the public. A life sentence as a Habitual Felon or Involuntary Commitment.

If not it is only a matter of time before he kills someone or is killed.

Shropshire remains in the Mecklenburg County jail under a $2,500.00 bond. 

FAFO CMPD Style

Photo @TinaQuizon via "X" Give Her a Follow

Early this morning Tuesday February 12, 2025, CMPD Officers attempted to conduct a Felony Traffic Stop in the QuikTrip located at 7115 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273. The subject exited the vehicle with a weapon and was engaged by Officers.

CMPD Presser Video By @TinaQuizon (Opens in New Window)

According to CMPD:

At approximately 2 a.m. in the 7000 block of South Blvd., Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle after multiple traffic stop attempts.

Preliminary information indicates that the vehicle pulled over, and the subject exited the vehicle. Officers perceived an imminent deadly threat and engaged with the subject.

At least one officer discharged a service weapon. The subject was struck, and officers rendered aid on scene. The subject was transported to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The subject’s firearm was recovered on scene.

Suspects Vehicle Photo Local News

No officers were struck with gunfire or injured to our knowledge. Multiple officers were transported to a nearby hospital for precautionary measures.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is the lead investigating agency in the case. The officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation per standard protocol.

As is standard procedure with any officer involved shooting, the Internal Affairs Bureau will conduct a separate but parallel investigation.

Representatives from CMPD's Operations Command, Homicide Unit, MEDIC, Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office also responded.

The investigation into this case is active and ongoing.

Cedar's Take:

I grew up in Starmount and Archdale Drive area of Charlotte. Today I don't recognize the area when I drive down South Blvd from SouthEnd. Boarded up windows, trash and litter everywhere. Homeless camps, panhandlers, and vagrants pushing stolen shopping carts.

At more than half of the business between Archdale and 485 Spanish is the preferred language. Commercial rents and property values have plummeted since 2020. 

Wendy's and Golden Corral are closed, graffiti covered and boarded up. Other business are dying a slow unnoticed death. 

The Fricken Ford directional sign on the property has a bullet hole in it.

This is Vi Lyles legacy. 

Freedom Drive Homicide Usual Suspect Usual Victim

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit began conducting a homicide investigation in the 3400 block of Freedom Drive in the Metro Division Saturday evening.

According to police, on Saturday, February 8, shortly before 6:00 p.m., officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon with injury call for service in the 3400 block of Freedom Drive. 

The male victim left the scene in a private vehicle before officers arrived. He was brought to Atrium Health Mercy with a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at the hospital.

Des'mon Ra'shad Thompson, 34 Photo Courtesy MCSO

CP has determined that victim was Des'mon Ra'shad Thompson, 34 of Statesville, North Carolina.

According to court records Charlotte Mecklenburg Police have charged Gregory Deddeh Dowana, 29 with the murder of Thompson on Saturday February 8, 2025.

Note CMPD has not released these details at this time.

Gregory Deddeh Dowana, 29 Photo Courtesy MCSO

Dowana has a laundry list of additional cases for violent offenses that have recently been dismissed. He also has a pending protective order violation and an arrest for communication of threats. 

A review of his arrest record shows countless serious traffic offenses. Each case more serious that the prior case.  

I'll say it again - incarceration saves lives.

According to local television news CMPD Major JD Thomas shared initial details during a late night news briefing. Thomas said officers were called to the shootout scene just before 6 p.m. They arrived and learned a man who had been wounded was taken to a hospital, but died there.

Thomas said the shootout began as a verbal argument between two men about an ongoing domestic violence case involving a woman. The argument then escalated to pepper spray being used before the men took aim at each other.

Thomas said the suspect remained on the scene and is cooperating with police. 

Thomas said domestic violence cases can turn deadly when arguments persist after the end of a relationship.

"When a relationship is over, it's over," he said.

Cedar's Take:

The issue of violence within the African American Community is complex and troubling. Generations of violent homes and upbringing have created a society of violence.

The African American Community is a culture of violence embracing criminality and gun play as a way of life.

Yes not all people who are African American are violent, I personally have enjoyed a lifetime of friendships with family friends and acquaintances who do not fit this stereotype. Sadly they are indeed the exception rather than the rule. 

This is the sort of violence that took the life of Mr. Thompson and so many others,and it could be avoided by isolation of those who show a propensity towards violence for whatever reason. Incarceration saves lives.

Brianye "Bri" Copeland Murder

CMPD Detectives have charged Kristopher Anthony Sinclair of Mableton, Georgia in the Friday February 7th murder of Brianye "Bri" Danielle Copeland.

Kristopher Anthony Sinclair Photo Courtesy of MCSO

Sinclair is being held at the Mecklenburg County Jail without bond.

According to CMPD:

On Friday, February 7, shortly before 10:00 a.m., CMPD officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon with injury call for service in the 400 block of Stitt Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered a female victim in the parking lot with a gunshot wound. She was pronounced deceased on scene by MEDIC.

The victim in this case has been identified as Brianye "Bri" Copeland, 27. Ms. Copeland’s next of kin have been notified of her death.

Bri Copeland Via Facebook

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, and MEDIC also responded.

On Friday, February 7, 2025, officers with the Juvenile Accountability and Diversion Empowerment team (JADE) arrested Kristopher Anthony Sinclair, 38, for his involvement in this case. He was transported to the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) in Uptown (601 E. Trade St.) to speak with detectives from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit. At the conclusion of the interview, Mr. Sinclair was transferred into the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.

Ms. Copeland's murder is the 8th since the year began. Her death marks a sad and troubling trend in Charlotte, as we are seeing an increase in female homicide victims often domestic in nature.

Bri Copeland

Another Day Another Body in Charloot

According to CMPD "Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit are conducting a death investigation in the 7000 block of Nations Ford Road in the Steele Creek Division".

"On Thursday, February 6, shortly after 9:00 a.m., officers responded to a call for service of a death investigation in the 7000 block of Nations Ford Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered an unresponsive victim. MEDIC transported the victim to Atrium-Pineville where the victim 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 and MEDIC also assisted.

Based on local news reports, Nations Ford Elementary School and the former E.E. Waddell High School building are located near the scene. Local news reported police tape surrounded a nearby playground. A spokesperson for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools had no comment, and further details were not yet available.

It seems rather common that bodies show up in our parks and school playgrounds, While Meck Park and Rec employ "Park Rangers" they are few and basically unarmed security guards. They lock gates and unlock bathrooms. CMS Police are sworn police officers but they too are supplemented by unarmed "security associates" to fill in the gaps.

The truth is after hours schools, parks and playgrounds around Charlotte are cesspools of crime and drug use and should be avoided. Early morning runs along the greenway in the summer are basically a meet and greet of the local homeless meth addicts who are usually afraid of my two leashed canine companions .The sight of these two charging fur missiles makes the crack heads retreat back under their rocks.  

The sad news is if the deceased in a homeless person or drug addict their death and loss of life will be greatly discounted. And so goes life in Da Creek.

Matthew Michael Arrest Fair or Foul?

From the Local Fishwrapper:

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer was arrested on child abuse charges while off duty, Chief Johnny Jennings said in a statement Wednesday evening. Officer Matthew Michael, 48, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor child abuse and placed on unpaid leave, the chief said.

Jail records said Michael was booked on Wednesday by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office and released on bond. Jennings said the sheriff’s office would handle a criminal investigation into the allegations. CMPD is “limited in the information we can release at this time,” Jennings said. “However, I want to assure the community that we are committed to holding our officers accountable for their actions, both on and off duty,” he said.

Cedar's Take:

As many of you know CP has a couple of family members still within CMPD. There are also cousins and nephews that fill all rates and current capacities in a long blue and red line, even a deputy chief in Charleston. Then there are the retired but still outspoken ones. So it really pains me to see this sort of thing show up in the press.

CP doesn't know Officer Michael but the problem with this sort of news is that the public assumes the worst of all possible situations.

I suspect this is a child custody issue and a deranged former spouse is behind this arrest. This is also the problem with social media. Wild guesses abound.

But CP has been there, what a freaking waste of money and court resources. 

At issue was my creative child disciple method that involved a mystery "man with a belt". This unseen and not real "enforcer" was used in restaurants and on airliners to compel compliance to acceptable behavior.  And it worked rather well. A tantrum throwing 3 year old at a restaurant was told to knock it off because the man with the belt just walked in. Three knocks on the wall and a "who's that?" would calm my rampaging toddler instantly into a 3 year old church altar boy. 

I never had to lay a hand on my kid.

But a liberal Mecklenburg county judge saw that as "child abuse" ordered supervised visits and that I attend anger management and parenting classes. 

Day one of the first "group session" the psychologist took me aside and asked "why the hell are you here?" I tried to give a compliant answer and he laughed. Then told me there was no reason for my attendance.  

A week later he sent me this. 

He would appear on my behalf several weeks later telling the judge that she should leave parenting and sociologist diagnosis to the processionals. 15 years later and $20,000 plus in legal fees as well as an arrest for $252.45 in unpaid child support the long running battle ended. But the damage was done. 

And I still receive every month a child support payment demand notice from Mecklenburg County to pay my child support. 

So to Officer Michael yeah I've been there brother.