Free Press Crime Blog

I’m currently working on a story about people or businesses having aluminum coils (or copper, I guess) stolen from their A/C units. If any of you have had that happen to you, please give me a call at 559-1076. Thanks!

Powell pleads guilty
Victim: ‘I’m just happy it’s over with’

Text messages and touching that were “sexual in nature” formed the factual basis for former Kinston High School assistant basketball coach Larry Powell’s plea agreement Monday.
Powell pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors — cyberstalking and assault on a female — and, in exchange, the state dropped a misdemeanor sexual battery charge in Lenoir County Superior Court.
Assistant District Attorney Michael Muskus presented what the prosecution and the victim, a 17-year-old girl, allege happened.
The prosecution said the victim and Powell had talked briefly about her involvement in the International Baccalaureate program at Kinston High School. Among other things, the program stresses community involvement and academic discipline. As a part of that, the victim began doing community service for the Kinston/Lenoir Recreation Department, where the defendant was employed part time.
Muskus, reading from the teenager’s statement to police, said the victim received text messages that were “sexual in nature” from Powell, as well as phone calls demanding to know where she was while she was on vacation.
On July 7, 2007, Powell, 48, invited the victim to help him move out of his old apartment and into a new one, telling her other people would be there. She agreed.
Once she arrived and saw that Powell was alone, she asked where everyone else was. Powell told her she was early and everyone else would be arriving later.
The victim sat on a couch with Powell, leaning off to the side a bit. Powell saw a tattoo on her lower back. He put his hand on her back, near the waistband of her pants.
“He told me he didn’t know I was one of those,” Muskus said the victim told police.
She told Powell not to touch her and moved away, but Powell slid closer again. Eventually, he got up and asked her if she wanted to see his bedroom. She said no.
The victim said she wanted to leave and Powell told her she couldn’t and locked the door. He brushed up against and then went and lay down on his bed.
The victim said her mom was calling her on her cell phone, and she really needed to leave.
Powell told her she could go, but not before giving him a hug. So he “pulled her close” and kissed her, Muskus said.
The victim told police she then went to her car and cried.
After that, the victim said in her statement to police, Powell would text her, bump into her in the halls and try to pull her out of class at school.
“He once told me he wanted more than a kiss,” she told the detective investigating her case.
On Feb. 20, the victim told officers she answered a call from a restricted number, thinking it was her godmother. It was Powell. She later told a teacher she was too afraid to hang up, according to her statement.
Muskus said when the case came up in Lenoir County District Court, Powell testified the victim did come into his apartment, after telling law enforcement officers in earlier statements that they had stood in the doorway because her being at his apartment made him “uncomfortable.” He also admitted to kissing the victim, though he said it wasn’t on purpose.
“He accidentally touched her check with his lips when he reached over her to unlock the door,” Muskus said.
Powell’s attorney, Dal Wooten, of Wooten & Strickland, said his client has had an “exemplary record,” with 27 years at the recreation department.
He showed the judge letters from parents showing their support for Powell.
Wooten said Powell no longer works for the recreation department or Kinston High School; instead, he now works at a restaurant.
“He’s lost everything,” Wooten said.
The victim, for her part, said a few words before New Hanover Superior Court Judge Phyllis Gorham decided on Powell’s sentence.
She said everything she told police was the truth, but her peers accused her of lying and bullied her.
“I had to relocate schools,” she said. “ …People would terrorize me, saying it wasn’t true and I was lying.”
She said the school she transferred to doesn’t have the IB program and it has cost her a chance to get into a better college.
“I’ll have to settle for less than because of something that I went through that wasn’t even my fault,” she said.
Powell, for his part, had no comment to give to the court.
Gorham sentenced Powell separately for each count. For the first charge, misdemeanor assault on a female, Powell received a sentence of 60 days in the custody of the state Department of Correction, which was suspended to 12 months of supervised probation and a $100 fine. He received a suspended sentence for the charge of cyberstalking as well.
Powell also had special conditions placed on his probation, including not having any contact with his victim.
“Wherever she is, he is not to have contact in any way, shape or form,” Gorham said.
The judge said that includes school grounds and competition areas. The victim is active in tennis and cheerleading.
After Powell was sentenced, the victim said she was glad to have everything behind her.
“I feel good now because the truth is finally out,” she said. “I’m glad he finally admitted what he did was wrong.”
Wooten quickly ushered Powell out of the courtroom after his sentenced was pronounced; however, Powell did give The Free Press a short statement Monday.
“I have no comment right now about this, but I’ll have one later,” an emotional Powell told The Free Press. “It’s been a really emotional and frustrating day.”
A mid-afternoon call to Wooten was not returned Monday.
Muskus said Monday afternoon that he was pleased with the sentences imposed on Powell.
“We’re happy with the court’s judgment,” he said.
Kinston/Lenoir Recreation Department Director Bill Ellis said early Monday afternoon he didn’t know if he’d rehire Powell.
“I hadn’t gotten that far yet,” he said.
Ellis described Powell’s position with the recreation department as a temporary summer position.
“The summer ended, so his job ended,” he said.
Lidia R. Guzman, public information office for Lenoir County Public Schools, said Powell was a graduation coach at KHS, which means he helped keep them on track to finish high school.
She said he resigned from his position and his rehiring — and any other information — was a personnel matter and she couldn’t discuss it further.
Still, the teenage girl at the heart of the case said none of that mattered.
“I’m just happy it’s over with and it’s done,” she said.

Here’s what a few people involved in the case had to say when it was all over:

* The victim: “I had to relocate schools. … People would terrorize me, saying it wasn’t true and I was lying.”

* Powell: “I just have no comment.”

* Kinston/Lenoir Parks and Recreation Director Bill Ellis on re-hiring Powell: “I hadn’t gotten that far yet.”

* ADA Michael Muskus: “We’re happy with the court’s judgment.”

* Lidia R. Guzman, spokeswoman for Lenoir County Public Schools: His re-hiring is a personnel matter that cannot be discussed.

*Dal Wooten, Powell’s attorney: Did not return calls Monday seeking comment. However, he said in court that his client “has lost everything.”

Former KHS assistant basketball coach Larry Powell (no relation to former Free Press-er Larry Powell) pleaded guilty today to cyberstalking and assault on a female, both misdemeanors. His victim, 17-year-old Keotta Williams said after the trial said she felt good about the result. “The truth is finally out,” she said.

More will follow.

The police sure have been busy lately, cracking down on drugs and dealing. Here’s the latest from the KDPS PIO:

From the Kinston Department of Public Safety

On Friday, September 19th, 2008 Kinston Department of Public Safety
Narcotics Unit arrested Jason Christopher Crockett for Maintaining a
Dwelling and Manufacturing Marijuana. The arrest came after complaints
of the suspect selling drugs from his residence located at 906 Cleveland
Dr., Kinston NC. Narcotics Officers went to the home of Jason Crockett
and located a marijuana growing operation in the attic. The attic
contained all the needed equipment to produce up to 100 marijuana
plants. The suspect was placed in Lenoir County Jail under a $6,000
dollar bond.

SUSPECT: Jason Christopher Crockett (see attached photo)
W/M, 27 yoa
Address : 906 Cleveland Dr., Kinston NC

CHARGES : Maintaining a Dwelling for the sale of Controlled Substances
(1ct)
Manufacturing Marijuana (1ct)

The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office sent this over tonight:

On Monday September 15, 2008, The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office conducted a three week investigation into the selling of marijuana and ecstasy after receiving numerous complaints. Narcotics Detectives arrested an 18 year old, Mitchell Lynn Jones of Falling Creek road in Kinston. Jones was charged with 2 counts of to deliver marijuana, 1 count of possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, 2 counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver ecstasy, 2 counts of to sell ecstasy, 2 counts of deliver ecstasy, and 3 counts of felony maintaining a motor vehicle for the keep and sell of controlled substance. Narcotics detectives seized 28 grams of marijuana, and 19 Ecstasy pills as a result of their investigation.
Under the North Carolina controlled substance act, Ecstasy is listed as a Schedule I drug. Jones was places under a $24,000.00 secured bond and had a first appearance in Lenoir County District Court on 09-16-2008.

There will be a story about it in the paper tomorrow. Once I get done with some other stuff here at FP headquarters, I’ll post a mug shot of Mr. Jones.

Also, if you’re interested, here’s N.C.’s Controlled Substance Act: Drug act.

Jurors in Wilbur King’s trial have returned a verdict of NOT GUILTY.

More info to follow as it becomes available.

Thanks to Justin Schoenberger, FP “cub” reporter, for that one.

From the Kinston Department of Public Safety

Monday, September 15, 2008

All companies and Special Response Units responded to a report of a
structure fire at 3:21 p.m. at 1507 Rosedale Avenue. Upon arrival,
investigation revealed a working fire in a single-story, wood framed
residential. Personnel initiated search and extinguishment operations.
The fire was quickly brought under control. The cause of the fire was
determined to be an electrical short in kitchen lighting. The structure
suffered moderate damage and one resident was transported to Lenoir
Memorial for smoke inhalation.

I went out to that fire yesterday. Kinston Fire and Rescue brought the fire under control very quickly and then set about clearing the smoke so investigators could get to work figuring out what had happened.

I hope the woman/ girl sent to LMH is doing well.

This just came across my e-mail:

From the Kinston Department of Public Safety

The Kinston Department of Public Safety is continuing it’s
investigation into the postgame incident on the ECU football field on
Saturday, September 6, 2008. We have received no complaints from anyone
involved in the incident. We have been in contact with the ECU Police
Department and are cooperating fully with the ECU Police Department. We
are awaiting information from the ECU Police Department regarding the
incident.

I’ve heard rumours that there may be a press conference tomorrow, but no confirmation as of yet. I’ll keep you posted.

By now, I’m sure many of you have heard about the alleged misconduct at the Pirates’ stunning victory against WVU.

Here’s what KPD have said:

From the Kinston Department of Public Safety

The Kinston Department of Public Safety has initiated an investigation
into the events surrounding the incident involving Law Enforcement
Officers that occurred at the completion of the ECU Football Game.

The Kinston Department of Public Safety has provided support to the ECU
Police Department for a number of years and has done so without
incident. The investigation will be thorough and will include the
actions of the Officers and events leading up to the confrontation.

It is the policy of the Kinston Department of Public Safety to
investigate officer actions in a fair and responsive manner. The
professional conduct of our officers reflects on the entire organization
and is held to the highest standard.

Additional information will be released upon completion of the
investigation.

There’s a press conference today at ECU. I’ll update after that.

If anyone was at the game and wants to talk about what they saw, please contact me at (252) 268-2635.