On January 15, 2026, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip that sex offender, James Wesley Meynardie of Grimesland NC had moved to an unknown address in Virginia without notifying the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office or the Virginia State Police of his change in address. After receiving the tip, an investigation was started and Meynardie’s listed address was checked for several consecutive days with no contact. As a result of the investigation, 46-

On December 22, 2025, Deputies from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the Aurora/Richlands area for a report of a foul odor coming from inside a rental property where a tenant had previously moved out. Deputies responded to the residence and began investigating. During the investigation, four deceased cats were located inside of the residence in various stages of decomposition. Detectives conducted further investigation and conducted intervie

Here is the latest winter weather update from Beaufort County Emergency Services. There were very minor changes made with this morning’s update. Beaufort County is still forecasted to experience very cold temperatures throughout the day and receive less than 1/8 of an inch of accumulating ice from freezing rain (mostly west of Hwy 17) later tonight. We are encouraging everyone to: Ensure that pets and outside animals have adequate shelter to protect them from today’s cold t

Are you thinking of applying for a Concealed Handgun Permit? Concealed Handgun Permits are a coveted privilege given to us by our legislature. Although it is a privilege, sometimes this process can seem cumbersome. This guide is meant to assist with answering some of the most frequently asked questions regarding this process. This process can take up to 90 days to complete after you have submitted all of the required documentation. You can apply for a new application or re

On January 21, 2026, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office arrested 25-year-old Ronald Levon Dennis Jr., of Chocowinity, NC following an investigation into online offenses involving the sexual exploitation of minors. This arrest stemmed from an investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, in coordination with the Raleigh Police Department. The investigation began in October 2025 after ICAC investigators identified online activity consistent with t

Sheriff Scott Hammonds would like to inform the public of an increase in phone fraud scams. Scammers pretend to be law enforcement, banks, government agencies, delivery services, or even your own family members. including children. More recent calls contain dialogue that appears to be the callers child stating the alleged child was involved in a wreck. The context behind the call stated they needed $14,000 to avoid jail time. Another call appeared to be the voice of a grandp

With inclement weather approaching this weekend and into next week, Sheriff Scott Hammonds and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind residents to take extra precautions to protect our most vulnerable — animals, children, and the elderly — as part of our ACE of Hearts Initiative. Animals: Bring pets indoors whenever possible. If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them. Ensure outdoor animals have warm, dry shelter and access to fresh, unfrozen water.

Issued January 15 at 8:18 AM EST by NWS Newport/Morehead City, NC The combination of gusty west-northwesterly winds up to 25 to 30 mph, dry relative humidities of 25 to 30%, and dry fields will increase the fire danger today. Outdoor burning is discouraged. Please refer to your local burn permitting authority on whether you can burn. If you do burn, use extreme caution and ensure fire suppression equipment is readily available.

Sheriff Scott Hammonds, along with Corporal Macy Kelly and Corporal Riley Davis, proudly graduated 331 students from the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program at John Small Elementary, Bath Elementary School, Northeast Elementary, and Chocowinity Middle School.   The D.A.R.E. program plays a vital role in educating students about making safe and responsible choices, building confidence, and developing the skills needed to resist drugs, violence, and negative peer

On December 27, 2025, at 12:25 am, Deputies with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in Blounts Creek in reference to a Missing Juvenile. Responding deputies, including a K-9 Team, and Drone Operator, met with the parent at the residence and obtained a description of the juvenile.  Assistance was requested from Blounts Creek Volunteer Fire Department for personnel to aid in the search.  The Sergeant on scene observed a vehicle sitting stationary on t

Beaufort County residents stepped up in a big way in 2025! Carlie C's Store Manager Bill Marlow set a goal of providing 2,000 food bags, and once again, they succeeded in their goal and provided more bags of food than any of the 32 store locations in North and South Carolina. Thanks to your generosity, Carley C's of Washington and the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office were able to distribute 2,264 bags of food throughout Beaufort County. Sheriff Hammonds would like to thank ev

On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, an employee of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office reported a social media post alleging animal neglect by that employee.  An internal investigation was initiated immediately. The employee resides in Pitt County, and the incident allegedly occurred in Pitt County.  Sheriff Scott Hammonds notified Pitt County Animal Control of the incident and requested an investigation. The employee has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of

On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, an employee of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office reported a social media post alleging animal neglect by that employee.  An internal investigation was initiated immediately. The employee resides in Pitt County, and the incident allegedly occurred in Pitt County.  Sheriff Scott Hammonds notified Pitt County Animal Control of the incident and requested an investigation. The employee has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of

Sheriff Scott Hammonds and staff of Beaufort County Sheriff's Office wishes everyone a Happy New Year!  Your trust, collaboration, and continued support are essential to maintaining public safety in our community. From our families to yours, we wish you a happy, safe, and healthy New Year. Please stay safe, look out for each other, and God bless Beaufort County.

Issued December 31 at 3:01AM EST by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC The combination of dry fuels and relative humidity around 30 to 35 percent will bring an increased fire danger across eastern North Carolina today. Outdoor burning is discouraged. Please refer to your local burn permitting authority on whether you can burn. If you do burn, use extreme caution and ensure fire suppression equipment is readily available.

Sheriff Scott Hammonds reminds everyone to celebrate the New Year safely. Fireworks can be loud and disruptive, and we ask residents to use the non-emergency line to report noise complaints so 911 remains available for true emergencies. Sheriff Hammonds also strongly warns against celebratory gunfire. Firing a weapon into the air is extremely dangerous. Bullets fired upward must come back down and can seriously injure or kill someone, even far from where they were fired. We w

Sheriff Scott Hammonds would like to sincerely thank the families, churches, and friends of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office for the generous food and treats provided to our employees who worked throughout the Christmas season.  Your kindness, support, and thoughtfulness mean more than words can express, and they truly lifted the spirits of our staff during the holidays. We are grateful for a community that stands behind us.

On December 12, 2025, Deputies with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit arrested 27-year-old Nikkopenia Terra Echevarria of Washington, NC on multiple felony drug charges. This arrest stemmed from Deputies executing a search warrant on Echevarria’s residence after several controlled purchases of fentanyl were conducted. Nikkopenia Terra Echevarria was arrested and held in the Beaufort County Detention Center under no bond for the following charges: (2) counts of T

Craven County Sheriff's Office reports that Craven County murder suspect Dominic Connelly has been captured alive. The sheriff told WITN that Connelly was found in an abandoned building on Muddy Lane. That’s north of Vanceboro off Business U.S. 17. Sheriff Hughes says more information will be released during a 2:00 p.m. news conference. The capture came after SBI cadaver dogs were brought in this morning to help find Connelly.