Press Releases

Authorities have identified Enrique Lopez, 26, of Smithfield as the suspect in yesterday’s pursuit involving a state trooper in Johnston County.  Lopez was attempting to elude law enforcement while fleeing in a stolen tow truck on US 70 Business.  During the pursuit, Lopez began shooting at pursuing troopers who then returned fire as they neared the city of Clayton.  The pursuit concluded as Lopez crashed into a tree on the eastbound shoulder of US 70 Business.    

North Carolina State Highway Patrol promotions are being put on hold while Internal Affairs investigates an allegation that the promotional testing process was compromised. “I am saddened and concerned about the allegation,” SHP Colonel Glenn McNeill stated. “I take this allegation seriously and directed for the internal investigation to get underway without delay.”

DURHAM, N.C. – FEMA and the state of North Carolina are announcing $3 million to reimburse New Hanover County for debris cleanup activities following Hurricane Florence.  FEMA has already approved more than $10.5 million for New Hanover County Hurricane Florence-related expenses. This brings the total to $13.5 million.  Disaster generated debris posed a threat to public health, safety, natural resources and tourism. Funds for this project will reimburse the county for contracted debris monitoring services.

State correctional officers and local law enforcement are seeking two minimum custody offenders who escaped from Morrison Correctional Institution in Hoffman this morning. They are Josh Ashworth (#1534173) and Brandon McDurmon (#1601999). They were last seen at breakfast in the facility between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Division of Community Corrections has named Sheila Moore as the new Judicial Division Administrator for Division Two. 

Two minimum custody offenders who escaped from Morrison Correctional Institution in Hoffman this morning were apprehended while hiding in the crawlspace of a residence in Hamlet this evening. Josh Ashworth, 18, (#1534173) and Brandon McDurmon, 22, (#1601999) were captured without incident by members of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the Hamlet Police Department.

The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named Kristie Brayboy as the new warden of the Morrison Correctional Institution in Hoffman. Brayboy, 46, had been the warden at the Hoke Correctional Institution in Raeford since 2016.

The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named Doris Daye as the new warden of the Caswell Correctional Center in Blanch. Daye, 50, had been the assistant superintendent for programs at Polk Correctional Institution in Butner. A veteran employee to state government, Daye began her career as an office assistant in 1996 at Orange Correctional Center in Hillsborough.

FEMA and the state of North Carolina have approved funding of more than $1.4 million for 24 generators, which will help North Carolina communities become more resilient in the face of future storms and disasters. Through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), 24 generators will be purchased and installed where they are needed to support critical public infrastructure. In two locations, transfer switches will be installed, and one generator will be relocated.

The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named John Godfrey as the new warden of the Harnett Correctional Institution in Lillington. Godfrey, 48, had been the warden at the Sanford Correctional Center in Sanford since December 2013.