Latest news with #NorthCarolinaStateBureauofInvestigation
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Brunswick elected official charged in connection with death threat to local state senator
A Brunswick County elected official and former state auditor candidate was arrested and charged in connection with threatening to kill a state lawmaker. On Friday night, June 20, Anthony Street, 44, of Supply was arrested by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for communicating threats via social media to N.C. Sen. Bill Rabon. "Last Thursday, the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office requested assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) after receiving information about threatening posts made on social media toward legislators. Consequently, the SBI began an investigation into several of these posts," a SBI news release made June 24 states. On June 23, Street made his first court appearance in Brunswick County, the release states. The presiding judge modified his bond, increasing it from $2,000 to a secured amount of $25,000. Street currently serves on the Brunswick Soil and Water District Board of Supervisors as an elected member. Rabon, who represents Brunswick, Columbus and New Hanover counties, voted in favor of North Carolina House Bill 442, a bill that will prohibit shrimp trawling within one-half mile of the shoreline of all coastal waters. The North Carolina fishing industry strongly opposes the bill and have taken to social media to voice their concerns, claiming the bill will destroy local seafood businesses. One of those individuals has been Street. About a week ago, Street posted on Facebook a screenshot of a text he sent to Rabon. The text requests Rabon to stop the shrimp trawling legislation, noting it will "severely" impact many people. The arrest warrant states Street "unlawfully, willfully and feloniously did knowingly make threat to kill Senator Bill Rabon" and other legislatures by a Facebook post. The warrant stated the post warned Rabon and said "you deserve to lose your lives and that all senators in Raleigh need to understand what happened to Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman in Minnesota can happen here in North Carolina." On June 14, Hortman, a Minnesota House of Representatives speaker, and her husband were stalked and killed. Hoffman, a Minnesota state senator, and his wife were also stalked and shot but they survived. Though it is unclear how the bill will directly impact Street, he wrote in his affidavit of indigency, "I have been unemployed since oyster season ended." His message to Rabon also stated he spent much of his adult life in the commercial fishing industry. 'While the commissioners do not have any authority over this individual or the board they were elected to, we strongly condemn any kind of language that perpetuates violence or threats against anyone — ever," Brunswick County Board of Commissioners Chairman Mike Forte said in a public statement. In a public statement released on June 24 by Brunswick Soil and Water Conservation Director Elliot Swain, he said the district condemns expression of violence, intimidation, or threatening language directed toward any public official, including members of the North Carolina General Assembly. "As stewards of our natural resources and representatives of the public interest, we believe that civil discourse, mutual respect, and adherence to lawful conduct are essential to a functioning democracy. ... We stand firmly in support of all individuals' right to participate in the democratic process without fear of harm or retribution," Swain said. Both Forte and Swain said there is "no place" for threats of violence and harmful speech in the community. Asked if Street will be removed from the board, Swain told StarNews the North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Commission holds the authority for removal at the district's request. Swain said the board is aware of Street's actions, what has transpired and is discussing further action. Street has run for North Carolina State Auditor at least twice. Most recently, he lost in the Republican primary vote on March 5, 2024. During the 2020 election, Street was on the ballot for state auditor and garnered 49.12% of votes. However, he lost to Beth Wood by less than 95,000 votes. In 2022, Street ran for the Brunswick County Clerk of Superior Court and lost. The SBI's investigation into this case is ongoing, and no further information is available at this time. Keep up with the area's latest Brunswick County news by signing up for the Savanna Tenenoff covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at stenenoff@ This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Man charged with threat to kill NC Sen. Bill Rabon over shrimp bill
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
7 arrested after statewide investigation related to internet crimes against children, NC SBI says
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Seven men have been arrested in relation to internet sex crimes against children and three more warrants are pending further processing after a statewide operation led by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. According to the NC SBI, their Computer Crimes Unit, which leads the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force that includes almost 250 agencies across the state, helped execute 10 search warrants last week. As a result, seven men were arrested, while three other warrants are 'still pending further investigation and processing of the seized evidence,' the SBI said in a release. CRIME TRACKER — Sign up for CBS 17's newsletter with the latest in local crime 'These investigations cleared dozens of CyberTips received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children concerning the solicitation or sexual exploitation of children,' the release said. The seven men arrested, along with their ages, charges, the county in which they've been charged and their bond, are: Age: 38 Charges: Criminal solicitation of a minor and dissemination of obscene material to person under 18 years of age Bond: N/A – held for extradition to South Carolina Age: 22 Charges: Five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor Bond: $100,000 Age: 25 Charges: Second degree sexual exploitation of a minor Bond: $500,000 Age: 26 Charges: Eight counts of sexual exploitation of a minor Bond: $200,000 Age: 42 Charges: Two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor Bond: $150,000 Age: 52 Charges: 20 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor Bond: $250,000 Age: 56 Charges: 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor Bond: $20,000 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Pitt County man re-arrested for additional charges of child sexual abuse
PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) — Law enforcement officers with the Pitt County Sheriff's Office issued additional warrants for a man involved in a sexual exploitation of a minor case. An Internet Crimes Against Children case went to the Major Crimes Unit of the Pitt County Sheriff's Office on February 25. Agents with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation partnered with detectives to find the suspect. James August Samuelson, 44 years old, was arrested on April 17, after detectives executed multiple search warrants. He was charged with fives counts each of 2nd and 3rd degree sexual exploitation of a minor. The Pitt County Sheriff's Office received another Internet Crimes Against Children case involving Samuelson on May 8. Fifteen additional videos of child sexual abuse material were provided, prompting detectives to add charges. Fifteen counts each of 2nd and 3rd degree sexual exploitation of a minor were added. Samuelson was arrest on these new charges on May 13. He was taken to the Pitt County Detention Center where he was given a new bond of !,200,000, taking his total bond charges to $1,700,000. The investigation is ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Brother and sister accused of kidnapping woman and baby daughter after family refused to give them $1m
A brother and sister are in police custody for allegedly kidnapping a mother and her baby in North Carolina after the family refused to give them $1 million, police said. Miguel Angel Duran Duran, 23, and Paola Duran Duran, 25, were arrested on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after they broke into a home in Garner and made the alleged demands. According to the Garner Police Department, three masked suspects armed with guns, two men and a woman, broke into the home of Eliuth Alejandro Martinez late Monday night. A third suspect, Eleodoro "Leo" Estrada-Hernandez, 37, remains at large, according to the FBI, who has issued a $10,000 reward for his capture. His status was not clear. When Martinez allegedly refused to hand over the money, the suspects tied him up with duct tape and kidnapped his wife, Alondra Michelle Benitez De Jesus, 26, and their 11-month-old daughter, Grecia Salome Alejandro-Benitez, and then sped off in a black Nissan Altima, police said. Early the next morning, the kidnappers released the mother and baby, who fled to a nearby home in Wake Forest where the homeowner called 911. The siblings were tracked down later that same day following a joint effort by the local police, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the FBI. They both now face two felony counts of first-degree kidnapping and one felony count of second-degree kidnapping. They appeared on video from jail Wednesday where the judge informed them that they could receive at least 231 months in prison if convicted of the charges. The siblings, who are being held on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (detainers and are believed to be Mexican citizens, were denied bond as they are considered flight risks, according to police. Estrada-Hernandez, meanwhile, has been charged with two counts of first-degree kidnapping, one count of second-degree kidnapping, one count possession of a firearm by a felon, and two counts of assault by pointing a firearm. He is described as five-foot-four, approximately 190 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes. He has multiple tattoos on his forearm and was last seen wearing a red t-shirt and blue jeans. The Duran Duran siblings are expected to be back in court on May 16.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Woman, man arrested in armed kidnapping of NC mom, baby; suspects demanded $1 million from dad, police say
GARNER, N.C. (WNCN) — Garner police announced Tuesday evening that two suspects were arrested in the violent, armed kidnapping of a mother and baby daughter from their home Monday night. Paola Duran Duran, 25, and Miguel Angel Duran Duran, 23, both of Raleigh, are each charged with two counts of first-degree kidnapping and a count of second-degree kidnapping, Garner police said. About eight hours after the kidnapping, the mother and her daughter were found safe in Wake Forest on Tuesday morning, police said. According to the Garner Police Department, officers responded to a reported kidnapping just before 10:55 p.m. Monday at a home in the 500 block of Buck Branch Drive. RELATED: Mom, baby found safe after being kidnapped from Garner home, police say The officers were told two men and a woman wearing masks and armed with guns broke into the home, demanding $1 million. When the husband refused, the suspects grabbed his 11-month-old daughter and wife, identified as Alondra Michelle Benitez De Jesus after restraining him with duct tape, according to Garner police. Police said the suspects fled with the mom and girl in a black Nissan Altima. According to Garner police, officers contacted the FBI and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to assist in the search for the victims. An Amber Alert was also issued. Shortly after 7 a.m., according to Garner police, a Wake Forest resident reported that a woman with a baby came to her home seeking help. The Wake County Sheriff's Office responded and confirmed the identities of De Jesus and her daughter. Both were unharmed. A Garner police news release about the Tuesday arrests said they were possible through 'incredible collaborative investigative efforts.' The father in the kidnapping ordeal said there were three kidnappers. Garner police spoke about the other suspect Tuesday night. 'We do know there is a 3rd suspect. I don't have any further information on him right now,' Garner Police Capt. Michael Medlin said in a short statement to sister station CBS 17. The two suspects are being held in the Wake County Detention Center. The Garner Police Department, FBI, and NCSBI continue to investigate the incident. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
