Press Releases

A North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women (NCCIW) minimum custody offender who left her work assignment on April 4, 2019, is back in custody after being captured this morning. 

On Thursday, April 04 at approximately 1:00 p.m., the State Highway Patrol stopped a Nissan passenger vehicle for traveling 96 mph in a 55 mph zone on US 70 near Edwards Rd in Johnston County.    

Authorities have identified Darius Jayquan Rogers, 20, of Clayton as the suspect in today’s shooting involving a state trooper.  Mr. Rogers was transported to Wake Medical Center as a result of the incident where he is listed in serious condition.     Sgt. J. M. Dorsey, a 15-year veteran stationed in Troop C, District 2 (Wayne County) attempted to stop Mr. Rogers for speeding.  Dorsey has been placed on administrative duty pending an internal investigation which is agency protocol in any trooper-involved shooting.   

State correctional and local law enforcement officers are seeking NC Correctional Institution for Women (NCCIW) minimum custody offender Gayle Newcombe (#0685978), who was reported missing from her work assignment in Raleigh/ Wake County this evening.  Newcombe was last seen on Avent Ferry Road at about 5:45 p.m.  

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol will once again join 14 other states in an effort to reduce collisions along the I-95 corridor.  Through support from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and states along the eastern portion of the U.S., the Drive to Save Lives Campaign is intended to increase the visibility of law enforcement officers over a period of three days.    

The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named Sam Dotson as the new superintendent of the Lincoln Correctional Center in Lincolnton. Dotson, 49, had been the assistant superintendent for operations at the Burke Confinement in Response to Violation Center in Morganton.

RALEIGH – Attempted murder charges have been filed against an offender who assaulted correctional officer Mary Crosby at Harnett Correctional Institution with a homemade weapon on March 19.  John L. Griffin Jr. (#0603117), 47, was charged this afternoon by the Lillington Police Department with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon against a government official, and possession of a weapon by a prisoner. He is scheduled to appear in Harnett County Court on the charges tomorrow.

At approximately 10:50 a.m. today at Harnett Correctional Institution, an offender assaulted a staff member with a homemade weapon in a housing dorm. The staff member was transported by EMS to an outside medical facility, where she is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The assault is under investigation by the Department of Public Safety and the Lillington Police Department. DPS will seek criminal prosecution against the offender.  

RALEIGH – The Department of Public Safety confirms that Correctional Officer Mary Crosby was assaulted by an offender at approximately 10:05 a.m. today at Harnett Correctional Institution.  Crosby, a 17-year-veteran, suffered non-life-threatening injuries when attacked in a housing dorm by a male offender armed with a homemade weapon. According to staff who have spoken with Officer Crosby, she is in “good spirits” and is with her family at an outside medical facility.

Today at approximately 9:33 a.m. a correctional officer at Alexander Correctional Institution was struck by an offender while doing a cell search. The situation was quickly brought under control and the correctional officer did not suffer any injuries. Roughly 11 minutes later, another correctional officer was assaulted by a second offender and suffered a superficial wound while doing a cell search. That situation, like the first one, was quickly brought under control.