On November 21, 2008, Captain Kenneth L. Watson of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office was patrolling the Pinetown area in search of suspicious activity.   At approximately 1:30 p.m., Watson observed a male sitting in a car in the driveway of a residence on Long Ridge Road.  When Watson drove by again approximately ten minutes later, the white male was still sitting in the car.
Captain Watson approached the male and determined that he did not live at the residence, was impaired by alcohol, and in possession of a loaded rifle.  Watson seized the weapon and determined that the subject was a convicted felon.  No one was home at the residence at the time of the incident.
After conducting additional interviews, Watson applied for and obtained a warrant charging Vance Hoyle Davenport, age 47, of Creek Road in Pinetown with Possession of a Firearm by Felon.  Davenport turned himself in on December 2, 2008 and was released on a $1000.00 unsecured bond.

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On November 14, 2008, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office received a report of embezzlement from a local business in Washington.  The suspect reportedly stole merchandise from the business and then sold it for personal gain.  The Sheriff’s Office began an investigation and conducted several interviews.
On December 1, 2008, Investigator Josh Shiflett applied for and obtained an arrest warrant charging Jared Leland Polk, age 41, of Northgate Drive in Washington, with Larceny by Employee.  Polk turned himself in at the Sheriff’s Office on December 2, 2008.  He was taken before Magistrate B. Smith where he received a $1,000 secured bond.

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On October 14, 2008, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office was called to a suspicious fire located at 3500 NC Highway 171 in Washington.  The Sheriff’s Office began an investigation, collected evidence, and conducted several interviews with the assistance of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
On October 15, 2008, Investigator Wesley Waters of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office applied for and obtained a warrant charging Mark Adam Wells, age 22, of Williams Street in Williamston and James Winder Privette II, age 36, of Stewart Street in Jamesville with one count each of First Degree Arson, Second Degree Burglary, and Larceny After Breaking and Entering.  Wells and Privette were also charged with a Felony Breaking and Entering and Larceny after Breaking and Entering by Investigator Brent Council of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office for a break-in that occurred at a marina outside of Williamston.  Wells was arrested on October 16, 2008 and held on a $100,000.00 secured bond.  On November 29, 2008, Privette was arrested by Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and held on a $75,000.00 secured bond.

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On November 27, 2008, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a breaking and entering and larceny on Gallberry Road in Washington NC.  Tools and a four wheel ATV were reported stolen.  Deputies processed the scene for evidence and began an investigation.
On November 29, 2008, the Sheriff’s Office received a Crime Stoppers tip in reference to a suspicious four wheel ATV on Sunshine Lane in Chocowinity, NC.  Investigators with the Sheriff’s Office responded and located the four wheeler and tools that were stolen from the Gallberry residence.
As a result of information obtained during interviews and evidence collected, Investigator Robert Gaskins obtained a warrant charging Anthony Thomas Stanley, age 21, of Sunshine Lane in Chocowinity with one count of Second Degree Burglary and one count of Larceny after Breaking and Entering.  Stanley turned himself in on December 5th and is being held in the Beaufort County Detention Center under a $7,500.00 secured bond.  A Juvenile Petition for Second Degree Burglary and Larceny after Breaking and Entering will be obtained on a juvenile suspect also involved in the incident.

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On December 6, 2008 at approximately 10:15 p.m., Deputy Michael Sheppard of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office was patrolling the Hwy 171 area, north of Washington.  As Deputy Sheppard passed Market Street Extension, he noticed a suspicious vehicle parked in a field.  Deputy Sheppard approached the vehicle and made contact with two white males that were intoxicated.  During the encounter, Deputy Sheppard seized a loaded rifle from the back seat of the vehicle.
While conducting an investigation into the reason the subjects were on the property, Deputy Sheppard learned that both men were convicted felons.  Sheppard arrested David Ray Whitfield, age 44, of Magnolia School Road in Washington and Danny Ray Earl Whitfield, age 47, of Evan Perry Road in Jamesville and charged each of them with Possession of Firearm by Felon.  Both men were also charged with Resist, Delay, Obstruct an Officer for resisting during the arrest.  They were held in the Beaufort County Detention Center under a $2000.00 secured bond each.

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On November 12, 2008, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office received a report of Fraud from Chocowinity EMS.  Chocowinity EMS reported that a former employee diverted funds from the department via paychecks and cash advances for her personal use.  The Sheriff’s Office began an investigation, reviewed evidence, and conducted interviews.
On December 2, 2008, Investigator Jim Martin applied for and obtained warrants charging Michelle Squires Cutler, age 35, of NC Highway 32 North in Plymouth, with Embezzlement.  Cutler turned herself in on December 5th.  She was released on a $10,000.00 unsecured bond by Magistrate David Curtis.  Cutler was a former Lieutenant with Chocowinity EMS.
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