ROCKINGHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT

Johnny Ray Knight

A Rockingham man with a criminal past has turned himself in to police after an extensive manhunt by both local and state lawmen.

Johnny Ray Knight, 42, of 147 Middle St., Rockingham, was arrested and charged with first degree rape, incest and second degree sexual offense, according to the Rockingham Police Department. Knight gave himself up late Sunday night.

Rockingham Police Chief Robert Voorhees called the case a “very serious crime.”

“We’re not going to release the victim’s name,” Voorhees said, “but I will verify that she was 16.” The police chief said the crime occurred around 6:30 p.m. Saturday in a wooded area off of Biltmore Drive. “She reported that she was held down and forcibly raped by one Johnny Ray Knight,” Voorhees said, “who was not an unknown individual to her.”

The victim was then transported to Richmond Memorial Hospital and treated for minor wounds before being released.

Rockingham police, along with NC Highway Patrol, FBI, SWAT, and Hamlet city police, combined efforts to find Knight after receiving reports of the sexual assault.

“We used every means at our disposal to get him into custody as soon as possible,” Voorhees said. “He does have a history of violence and we didn’t want to allow it to escalate or for him to harm anyone else.”

According to the North Carolina Department of Correction website, Knight’s criminal record extends as far back as 1985 with several charges of assault on a female, larceny, felony breaking and entering, resisting an officer, communicating threats, and a second degree murder charge in December of 1994.

The Rockingham Police Department recently arrested Stephen Craig Thorpe, 20, of 113 Katie Lane, Kenneth Ray Lowery, 19, of 137 5th St., Cordova, and Alex Wade Kirk, 20, of 323 Ledbetter Road, for assault with a deadly weapon and injury to real property. According to police reports, witnesses observed the three men shooting a paintball gun at property and at two victims.

The men allegedly fired shots at a business on Rockingham Road, in addition to shooting one victim in the face and another in the side with a paintball gun. The three men were arrested and each placed under a $6,000 bond.

Other recent arrests by the Rockingham Police Department include:

— Ernest Eugene Carolina, 55, 217 Great Falls Circle, was arrested for second degree trespassing. He was released on a written promise to appear in court.

—Corey William Byrd, 27, Budgetel Motel Room # 29, was arrested for injury to property and second degree trespassing. He was released on a written promise to appear in court.

— Corey Allen Prisk, 26, 216 A Brookwood Ave., was arrested for assault on a female and communicating threats. No bond was issued.

— Gregory Deane Richardson, 41, 133 Sleepy Hollow Drive, was arrested for OFA/FTA - driving while license revoked and misdemeanor larceny. A secure bond was set at $2,500.

— Dustin Durant Deese, 35, 285 Dockery Road, was arrested for simple affray. A secure bond was set at $2,500.

— Rodriguez Antonio Hall, 29, 177 Country Road, Hamlet, was arrested for OFA/FTA - no operator’s license/driving while license revoked. A secure bond was set at $1,000.

— Brian Keith Shepard, 30, 113 Rogosin St., was arrested for communicating threats. He was released on a written promise to appear in court.

— Tyrannia M. Ellerbe, 35, 112 Little Street, was arrested for injury to personal property. She was released on a written promise to appear in court.

— Corey Duane Dawkins, 39, 116 Old Cheraw Road, Hamlet, was arrested for assault on a female. He was released on a written promise to appear in court.

— Billy Ray Green, 46, 304 Rush St., was arrested for assault by pointing a gun and communicating threats. A secure bond was set at $2,000.

— Debra Elaine Burgess, 59, 176 2nd Ave., was arrested for D.W.I. and failure to reduce speed. She was released on a written promise to appear in court.

— Sandra Danetta Graham, 37, 76 New St., was arrested for common law robbery, assault inflicting serious injury and assault and battery.She was released on a written promise to appear in court.

— Lonnie Owens Jr., 34, 612 Ghio Road, Hamlet, was arrested for second degree trespassing, injury to personal property, and communicating threats. He was released on a written promise to appear in court.

— Courtney Jamar Parker, 18, was arrested for probation violation. A secure bond was set at $10,000.

— Christopher Eugene Dennis, 35, 41 6th St. Ave., Aleo, was arrested for larceny. A secure bond was set at $1,000.

— Sharon Leanne Rorie, 28, 130 South St., was arrested for larceny and possession of drug paraphernalia. A secure bond was set at $1,000.

— Alex Jordan Raines, 18, 300 Lakeview Trail, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. He was released on a written promise to appear in court.

— Tasha Ann Willoughby, 33, 513 Salisbury St., Wadesboro, was arrested for obtaining property by false pretenses and FTA - misdemeanor larceny. A secure bond was set at $1,530.50.

— Darius Bowden, 24, 150 Park St., Ellerbe, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny. A secure bond was set at $500.

Other recent reports made to the Rockingham Police Department include:

— Breaking and entering and larceny were reported at a residence on Short Street.

— Larceny was reported at a business on East Broad Avenue.

— Counterfeit money was reported at a residence on Robinson Street.

— Damage to a motor vehicle was reported at a business on South Long Drive.

— Breaking and entering and larceny were reported at a residence on Green Ridge Drive.

— Affray and damage to a motor vehicle were reported on Hood Street.

— Breaking and entering, larceny, and damage to property were reported at a residence on McArthur Drive.

— Shoplifting/concealment was reported at a business on East Broad Avenue.

— Larceny of a cell phone was reported on Hood Street.

— Damage to a motor vehicle was reported at a business on East Broad Avenue.

— Larceny was reported at a business on South Hancock Street.

— Damage to property was reported at a residence on Hawthorne Avenue.

— Breaking and entering and larceny were reported at a residence on Short street.

— Larceny was reported at a residence on Hamer Road.

— Larceny was reported at a residence on Short Street.

— Shoplifting/concealment was reported at a business on US # 1 South.

— Attempted breaking and entering were reported at a residence on Robinson Street.

— Communicating threats was reported at a business on Mill Road.

— Breaking and entering, damage to property and larceny were reported at a residence on Steele Street.

— Possession of a stolen vehicle was reported at a motel on East Broad Avenue.

— Injury to real property and misdemeanor larceny were reported at a residence on Pine Circle.

— Damage to property and larceny were reported at a residence on Rockingham Road.

— Animal cruelty was reported at a residence on Ardsley Road.

— Damage to property was reported at a residence on Cauthen Drive.

— Breaking and entering of a building was reported on Roberdel Road.

— Breaking and entering and larceny were reported at a residence on Beaverwood Court.

— Obtaining property by false pretenses was reported at a business on East Broad Avenue.

— Obtaining property by false pretenses was reported at a residence on Armstead Street.

— Larceny was reported at a club on East Washington Street.

— Damage to property and assault were reported at a residence on Leak Street.

— Larceny was reported at a business on East Broad Avenue.

— Breaking and entering were reported at a business on Rockingham Road.

— Breaking and entering, larceny, and injury to real property were reported at a residence on Oak Avenue.

— Fraudulent checks were reported at a bank on Franklin Street.

Arrest reports published in the Richmond County Daily Journal are copied from local law enforcement records. Reports include both arrests and criminal summons such as citations. The Daily Journal lists them all as arrests. People charged are presumed innocent until determined to be guilty by a court of law.

The Rockingham Police Department recently arrested Donnie Ray McDonald Jr., 23, Room 148, Economy Motel, 603 South Hancock St., Rockingham, for possession of drugs with intent to sell and deliver, maintaining a dwelling for controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to a police report.

An officer responded to a noise complaint at McDonald’s residence. After knocking on the door, the officer saw what appeared to be marijuana on a table through the window, the report said. Once inside, the officer discovered approximately 5.8 ounces of marijuana along with digital scales, multiple Xanax pills, and $813.50 in U.S. currency, according to the report. McDonald was placed under arrest in Richmond County Jail under a secure bond of $5,000.

Other recent arrests by the Rockingham Police Department include:

— William Frederick Kranz Jr., 32, 140 Rohanen Ave., Rockingham, was arrested on charges of failure to appear - shoplifting/concealment and second degree trespassing. A secure bond was set at $1,000.

— Rodriguez Primus, 25, 118 Hamlet Lake Court, Hamlet, was arrested for shoplifting/concealment. He was released on a written promise to appear in court.

— Eric John Clark, 36, 12 Short St., Rockingham, was arrested on a charge of resisting. A secure bond was set at $500.

— Sheniece Lynn Coles, 23, 117 Greenland Road, Rockingham, was arrested for injury to personal property. She was released on a written promise to appear in court.

— Bryant Shauntell Harrington, 32, 193 Crestway Drive, Rockingham, was arrested for assault on a female and breaking and entering. A secure bond was set at $1,000.

— Daniel Ian Withers, 33, 510 Leak St., Rockingham, was arrested on two counts of assault on a female. A secure bond was set at $5,000.

— Valerie Grant Withers, 36, 510 Leak St., Rockingham, was arrested for assault and battery. A secure bond was set at $500.

— Christopher Rashad Goodwin, 18, 701 Armstead St., Rockingham, was arrested for larceny. He was released on a written promise to appear in court.

— Jason Donnell McDonald, 29, 234 South Long Dr., Rockingham, was arrested for failure to appear. A secure bond was set at $500.

— Tamangus Antwan Martin, 27, 196 Rose St., Hamlet, was arrested for possession of drugs with intent to sell and deliver - cocaine counterfeit, and possession of drugs with intent to sell and deliver - controlled substance. He was placed under a secure bond of $10,000.

— Michael Clay Mabe, 21, 766 E. Washington St. Ext., Rockingham, was arrested for assault on a female. No bond was issued.

— Yovaan Chanteé Bennett, 19, 1040 Pineridge Dr., Rockingham, was arrested for simple assault. She was released on a written promise to appear in court.

— Justin Chase Cagle, 24, 110 Russell Drive, Rockingham, was arrested for attempted larceny and larceny. He was released on a written promise to appear in court.

— Teresa Ann McDonald, 41, 105 Brooks Ave., Rockingham, was arrested for shoplifting/concealment. A secure bond was set at $1,000.

Other recent reports made to the Rockingham Police Department include:

— Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle was reported at a residence on Fenton Street.

— Assault was reported at a residence on Cauthen Drive.

— Larceny was reported at a business on East Broad Avenue.

— Shoplifting was reported at a business on East Broad Avenue.

— Breaking and entering and larceny were reported at a residence on Arbor Road.

— Communicating threats was reported at a residence on Bryan Circle.

— Identity theft and possession of a fraudulent document were reported at a business on South Hancock Street.

— Simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia were reported on Caroline Street.

— Larceny was reported at a residence on Shannon Drive.

— Damage to property and felony larceny were reported at a residence on Ashley Street.

— Strong arm robbery and assault on a female were reported at a business on East Broad Avenue.

— Felony larceny was reported at a business on U.S. Highway 1 South.

— A violation of domestic violence order was reported at a residence on Kinney Street.

— Assault and disturbance were reported at a business on Roberdel Road.

— Misdemeanor larceny was reported at a business on East Broad Avenue.

— Larceny was reported at a business on East Broad Avenue.

— Breaking and entering of a motor vehicle was reported at a business on East Broad Avenue.

— Assault was reported at a business on East Broad Avenue.

— Damage to property was reported on South Long Drive at Cauthen Drive.

Arrest reports published in the Richmond County Daily Journal are copied from local law enforcement records. Reports include both arrests and criminal summons such as citations. The Daily Journal lists them all as arrests. People charged are presumed innocent until determined to be guilty by a court of law.

141 Collins Church Road, where 12.6 liters of alcoholic beverages were received. The location is adjacent to a church, the brick building in the background. | Mallory Brown/Daily Journal

Herbert Martin

Two Rockingham men have been charged with possessing and selling alcoholic beverages without a permit, according to police.

Special Agents with the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division, along with the Rockingham Police Department and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, received tips from the community about suspicious activity at two separate locations.

Herbert Lee Martin, 48, 103 Jerry Lynn Drive, Rockingham, was arrested on two counts of selling alcoholic beverages without permits, two counts of possessing for sale alcoholic beverages without permits, and one count of possession of non tax-paid alcohol. According to the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division, 114.61 liters (30.3 gallons) of alcoholic beverages, valued at $1,405.50, were seized from the location.

Tony Diggs, 141 Collins Church Road, Rockingham, received a citation and is charged with one count of selling alcoholic beverages without permits and two charges of possessing for sale alcoholic beverages without permits, according to the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division. Authorities seized 12.6 liters (3.3 gallons) of alcoholic beverages valued at $70 from Diggs, who had been selling from a building located within feet of a church, the New Beginning Collins Revival Center.

Chief Robert Voorhees of the Rockingham Police Department said they’d received dozens of complaints within the city about the residence on Jerry Lynn Drive.

“Code Enforcement has received several (complaints) in reference to trash and illegal parking,” Voorhees said, “and the police department received complaints about criminal activity.”

Illegal outlets, or shot houses as they are called, continue to be an existing problem in communities.

“Illegal outlets have been around forever,” said Patrick Preslar, of the N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement Division. “They cater to people that don’t have a license or transportation that have a need to get to some alcohol.” Preslar added that shot houses can be found in most counties. “Every once in a while, we’ll hear about them and address them in whatever ways we can to solve them.”

The combined efforts of the N.C. Alcoholic Law Enforcement Division, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and Rockingham Police Department played a key role in the success of these particular searches, lawmen said.

“I work collectively with those local departments,” Special Agent Preslar said of the Sheriff’s Office and police department. “Both of them help me tremendously. It would be hard for me to get it done without having them for security and to maintain order.”

Voorhees called the effort a “well-executed plan.” Since multiple suspects were involved, he continued, all three agencies had to be prepared to control the situation. “One of them was in the city and one was in the county,” Voorhees said of the criminal offenders. “It was a cooperative effort and we appreciate the agencies working so close to solve the problem.”

Monica Barnhill

The Rockingham Police Department arrested Monica Rae Barnhill, 464 Mill Road, Rockingham, and charged her with felony possession of schedule I drug (bath salts), misdemeanor resisting and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. She was placed in the Richmond County Jail under a $25,000 secured bond. Barnhill was caught with one vile of bath salts, according to a police report. She had hidden the salts in her mouth. When the officer heard her muffled speech, he noticed the corner of a bag in her mouth. After resisting she spit out the bag, the report said.

Those who speed to get away from police in North Carolina will soon forfeit their vehicle to law enforcement, and the penalties for repeat drunk drivers are getting tougher.

Area law enforcement officers Thursday applauded the recent passage of a pair of measures intended to make the state’s roads safer to drive. “Laura’s Law” creates a mandatory prison sentence for drunk drivers who have three or more aggravating factors in their conviction, while the “Run and You’re Done Law” gives law enforcement the authority to seize and sell vehicles used by felony defendants who speed to elude arrest.

Rockingham Police Chief Robert Voorhees applauded both measures, pointing out the obvious risks to public safety associated with these types of offenses.

“What people should ask themselves about this law is: How would the community react if a man walked down the middle of Main Street indiscriminately firing shotgun blasts into storefront windows?” Voorhees said Thursday afternoon. “The reason you should ask yourself that is because the same litmus test can be applied to someone who repeatedly gets behind the wheel of a car while they’re intoxicated, or leads police on a high-speed chase disregarding the safety of the officers and other drivers out there on the roads.”

He said a 2,000 to 3,000 pound vehicle traveling at 60 miles per hour, or even greater rates of speed, is the equivalent of a deadly weapon.

“Somebody who would blow through a stop sign or red light trying to get away from a patrol car with its blue lights on is using that vehicle as a weapon, in my opinion, just like a firearm and should be treated as such,” Voorhees said.

Philip D. Brown/Daily Journal

District Attorney Reece Saunders (left) and Rockingham Police Chief Robert Voorhees showcase the bound editions of the North Carolina General Statutes recently purchased for the District Attorney’s Office by the Rockingham Police Department using discretionary funds from drug seizures.

It has often been pointed out that drugs are a self-destructive path, but the Rockingham’s traffickers recently unwittingly made a contribution to their own undoing.

Rockingham Police Chief Robert Voorhees explained $1,000 in discretionary funds from drug seizures were used to purchase a hardbound set of North Carolina’s General Statutes to be used by prosecutors in the county.

“I felt it was only appropriate that the drug dealers of Richmond County do their part to help the District Attorney’s Office run efficiently and effectively,” Voorhees explained Friday afternoon. “Obviously, without this donation, they wouldn’t have the ability to come into their conference room and look something up.”

The expenditure cost about $1,000. Voorhees recalled the subject coming up in conversation with District Attorney Reece Saunders, and decided to use discretionary funds to make it become a reality. Saunders recalled mentioning it to Voorhees.

“I’d spoken with the Administrative Office of the Courts, and even though my district has three counties they only provide one print copy of the statutes,” he explained Friday afternoon. “We can look them up on computers, but I’m kind of an old school guy and like to have a book in my hands - especially when I’m handing it to a judge.”

In addition, Voorhees pointed out all of the amenities of a working courthouse are still being collected at the Richmond County Judicial Center.

“I just thought, ‘They have this very nice, big conference room, and these beautiful library shelves with nothing to put on them,’” Voorhees recalled of the initial conversation which led the department to donate the books. “This is just Rockingham’s way of doing it's small part to make sure the district attorney’s office runs smoothly.”

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Tanya Wallace agreed with the gesture.

“I think this was a very proper, and very necessary, expenditure,” she commented.