Press Releases

On February 11, 2026, Patrol Deputies with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in the Chocowinity Area. During their investigation, K9 Athos was deployed and detected the presence of narcotics. The driver, identified as 28-year-old Raimelle Andres’ Peterson, was detained for a probable cause search of the vehicle. Drugs and a handgun were found during the subsequent search, and Peterson was placed under arrest. Peterson attempted to dispose of concea

On February 1, 2026, Deputies with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office responded to a structure fire near the intersection of NC Highway 99 South and Marslender Road in Belhaven. The structure was uninhabited and completely burned, leaving only a brick foundation and metal roofing material. The fire was deemed suspicious, and Detectives responded to process the scene. During the investigation, Deputies discovered footprints in the snow near the scene. Additionally, seve

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office has received several questions and requests for information regarding an Animal Neglect and Abuse case that was reported in 2024. On September 10, 2024, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office responded to a property, located off Sidney Rd. in Belhaven, to assist Beaufort County Animal Control with an Animal Cruelty investigation. Beaufort County Animal Control responded to the property after receiving a report from a concerned resident regar

On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, an employee of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office reported seeing a social media post alleging they were involved in animal neglect. Upon the employee self-reporting the allegations made against them, an investigation was initiated immediately, and the employee was placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation. The incident allegedly occurred in Pitt County where the employee resides. Sheriff Scott Hammonds notif

On February 2, 2026 at 11:02am, Deputies and Officers with the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office and Washington Police Department responded to a Domestic Dispute between a mother and son at a residence in the 2000 block of West 5th Street in Washington. When Deputies arrived, they learned that 35-year-old Mason Banks Brown of Washington NC, had assaulted his elderly mother. When confronted by Law Enforcement, Brown charged a Deputy with a knife. Tasers and pepper spray were

On January 23, 2026, Investigators with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit along with Agents with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations and Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, arrested 40-year-old Cornelious Antoine Keyes of Stokes, NC on multiple drug charges. This arrest stemmed from Investigators and SBI Agents conducting two search warrants on residences belonging to Keyes. As a result of this investigation, Deputies seized 192 grams of fentanyl, 137 g

On January 10, 2026, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office responded to a larceny at Saint John Free Will Baptist Church in Blounts Creek. Deputies learned the church’s air-conditioning unit was stolen. On January 14, 2026, deputies responded to Saint Matthew's Free Will Baptist Church Aurora in reference to larceny and property damage. Deputies learned the church’s air-conditioning unit was damaged and the copper components were removed. The church’s electrical panel box

In the past month, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Patrol and K9 Division have arrested 10 people in the county on felony drug charges. These arrests are the result of proactive patrolling, performing traffic stops, utilizing K9’s, and the execution of a search warrant. Illicit drugs seized off the street as a result of these arrests include 102 grams of cocaine, 12 grams of methamphetamine and 17 grams of fentanyl. Those charged with drug felonies are identified as: • Ch

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

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

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

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.

On Tuesday, December 9th, 2025, 33-year-old Ryan Austin Stalls pled guilty in Beaufort County Superior Court to the following charges: (2) counts of 1st Degree Attempted Murder (Felony) The sentence for this plea is 273 – 340 months. (1) count of 1st Degree Kidnapping (Felony) (1) count of Attempted 1st Degree Forcible Sex Offense (Felony) The sentence for this plea is 127 – 213 months. These sentences will be served consecutively in the North Carolina Department of Correc

The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office was made aware on an attempted scam involving people representing themselves as members of the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office. The person begins the conversation stating it as an "Urgent Legal Matter." Then, they present reasons for their call such as unpaid fines, warrant for arrest, fines for missed jury duty, etc. All of these are designed to get the person being called to pay money through various non-traceable means, such as pre-p

UPDATE (Nov 25, 2025 @ 08:48): William "Billy" Campbell has been located. A Silver Alert has been issued for an elderly Beaufort County man. The N.C. Center for Missing Persons is asking for the public's help in finding 79-year-old William "Billy" Campbell. Campbell is believed to be suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's. Campbell is described as a white man with short, white hair and blue eyes. He is 5 feet 7 inches tall and 135 pounds. Campbell was last seen wearing a gr

Craven County fugitive Dominic Connelly was last confirmed to be hiding out in a heavily wooded area in Vanceboro. Based upon evidence and no confirmation, Connelly is still in Craven County. The Craven County Sheriff's Office has shifted their investigation from a "command-post" type manhunt to an investigative and intelligence driven fugitive case. Craven County has offered a combined reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of Connelly. Connelly was

WANTED PERSON The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office needs your help locating a wanted person. On October 27, 2025, 40-year-old Givon Montrell Hodges of Washington, NC left Superior Court in Beaufort County and failed to return. Hodges is currently out of jail on a $30,000 secured bond for Sell and Deliver Cocaine and has multiple pending felonies. After failing to return to court, Superior Court Judge Seth Edwards issued seven Orders for Arrest for Hodges and set a $1,000,000

On July 28, 2025, at approximately 10:09 a.m. the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible missing person, who resided in Chocowinity NC. The complainant reported that 60-year-old Wilson Baytala Sr. had not returned from working in Atlantic NC, and they could not reach him. Deputies learned that the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office was in contact with Baytala Sr. on July 10, 2025 and he was believed to still be in the area. The missing person case was