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Three charged with murder in Bladen Co. native's death

Submitted by WECT Web Staff
Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013, 7:48am
Melissa Dawn Huggins-Jones (Source: Bladen-Gaskins Funeral Home)

RALEIGH, NC (WECT) – Three people have been arrested and charged with murder in connection to the death of a Bladen County native.

Melissa Dawn Huggins-Jones was found dead last Tuesday. Huggins-Jones' 8-year-old daughter found her mother covered in blood inside their new home in Raleigh.

Police have charged Ronald Lee Anthony, Jr., Sarah Rene Redden and Travian Devonte Smith with murder. They are currently in the Wake County Jail.

Officers said  there did not appear to be a connection between the victim and suspects before the crime.

Huggin-Jones recently moved to Raleigh from Tennessee and worked as a banker. She was born in Columbus County and graduated from East Bladen High School in 2000. Huggins-Jones would have turned 31 years old last week.

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SHOOTING: 3 shot during party at the Boom Boom Room

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director
Monday, May 20th, 2013, 1:32pm

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Three people were shot early Sunday morning when an argument started during a party at the Boom Boom Room.

According to the Bladen County Sheriff's Office, a crowd of about 200 people gathered around the fight and witness told authorities gunshots could be heard.

One victim realized he had been shot when he was trying to leave the area and felt a burning sensation in his neck. He went to Sampson County Regional Medical Center for treatment and has since been released.

Two other victims were taken to Bladen County Hospital for treatment. Their conditions were not released.

The sheriff's office said everyone had left the area when deputies arrived on scene.

The victims told investigators they didn't see anyone shooting, but had heard gunshots.

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Several people accused of lying to authorities about shooting

Submitted by Gavin Johnson, Reporter
Monday, May 13th, 2013, 11:32am

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Several people in Columbus County could face charges for lying to authorities.

Deputies said they received a call Saturday morning regarding a shooting near the Bolton Sportsman Club located at the intersection of Sam Potts Highway and Tenth Street.

When officials arrived to the scene, people told them there was not a shooting.

Shortly after, deputies found Jermaine Henry, of Elizabethtown, sitting in a car. He had, in fact, been shot.

According to deputies, Henry's girlfriend, Gwendyln Baldwin was in the hospital after getting shot in the arm.

The incident is under investigation.

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CHARGED: Man accused of raping a child under the age of 13

Submitted by WECT Web Staff
Tuesday, May 7th, 2013, 11:59am
John Owens Jacobs (Source: Bladen Co. Sheriff's Office)

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Deputies with the Bladen County Sheriff's Office have charged a man from Bladenboro for accusations of rape.

According to the sheriff's office, John Owens Jacobs, 42, is accused of raping a child under the age of 13.

The sheriff's office was notified by the Department of Social Services May 6, and investigators were able to get enough evidence to obtain arrest warrants for Jacobs.

Jacobs was charged with two counts of first degree rape of a child under the age of 13 and one count of first degree sex offense of a child.

The investigation is ongoing and more charges could be filed.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.

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Victim knew man who robbed her on the street

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director
Monday, April 29th, 2013, 4:31pm
Nicholas "Adam" Strickland (Source: Bladen County Sheriff's Office)

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Deputies with the Bladen County Sheriff's Office arrested Nicholas "Adam" Strickland, 24 of White Lake, Sunday night for common law robbery.

According to officials, a woman heard someone call her name around 5:30 p.m. when she was leaving the Scotchman convenient store in Clarkton.

She looked to see that it was Strickland, whom she had known for several years. Police say the victim threw up her hand to wave when she was hit in the back of the head and knocked to the ground.

According to officials, the victim had money in her hand when she was assaulted and Strickland took it and ran away in a small black car.

The victim was taken to the hospital to be treated for her injuries and has since been released.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.

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Suspects charged after allegedly stealing from go-kart track

Submitted by Sarah Crandall, Web Producer
Thursday, April 25th, 2013, 4:16pm
Suspects charged after allegedly stealing from go-kart track

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Two suspects were charged Wednesday after allegedly stealing an air compressor and tools from a go-kart track in Tar Heel, according to Cpt. Rodney Hester with the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office.

Kadeem Deon Inman, 18, of Corner Oaks Drive in St. Pauls and Dylan Scott West, 20, of Scotts Pine Road in Parkton were charged with breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering and possession of stolen property.

Investigators say they noticed a suspicious black Honda Accord at the go-kart track Wednesday afternoon, located at 271 Victory Lane. They saw someone running towards the vehicle, and a red air compressor was seen in the open trunk.

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Wilmington firefighter being held in Virginia without bond

Submitted by WECT Web Staff
Thursday, April 25th, 2013, 12:49pm
Robert Hester (Source: Fairfax Co. Sheriff's Office)

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – A master firefighter with the Wilmington Fire Department was terminated from his position April 15, after an arrest for an incident in Virginia.

According to Malissa Talbert, a spokesperson for the city, Robert Hester, of Elizabethtown, is in custody in the Fairfax Detention Center for felony charges without bond.

According to the Fairfax Police Department, Hester was arrested by Loudoun County on a warrant for destruction of property March 21. He was then picked up by a Fairfax detective, who took him back to Fairfax County.

According to police, Hester was charged with intentionally damaging property and sexual penetration by force or threat with an object.

Authorities say the second charge allegedly happened at a Hyatt Hotel in Reston, VA around 10:30 p.m. on March 19 and was reported to police the next day. Officials say the victim knew Hester.

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