[48] Because of these charges, the sergeant resigned her position. Fontana officers responded and determined that the investigation should be handled by Ontario police since the incident started there. The Charlotte Observer. The new administrator, Patsy Chavis, was appointed to the post on February 22, 2012, despite having no experience as a custody officer in her official NCDPS biography. Orban approached her as she was getting into her car in the mall parking lot and forced himself into the passenger seat, police said. The police department of Westminster, California recently suspended an officer caught punching a handcuffed Latina arrestee twice in the face. But by that time, the officer was already bleeding profusely. Personnel records for the sergeant obtained by WECT indicate he started working at Tabor Correctional in December 2018 and had been with DPS since May 2014. Figures show that in April, when Sgt. The visit was also covered by the Tabor-Loris Tribune. Inmate. The prison is located at 4600 West Swamp Fox Highway. This is the largest weapon seizure Ive ever seen in this county, said Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins. The Tabor Correctional Institution was constructed on a 37-acre site in east Tabor City, Columbus County. Guice, the prison leader, acknowledged that the state faces significant staffing challenges. Wesley Thompson, 24, of Twin Pines Road, Whiteville, was charged after another correctional officer discovered contraband hidden in a podium in the close custody (maximum security) section at the state prison west of Tabor City, Maj. Russell Conway of the Tabor City Police Department said. He resigned from his position on Monday. Thompson asked to speak to his attorney when interviewed. Roy Cooper has asked him to review the circumstances to ensure this doesnt happen again.. The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named two new prison administrators. Im sure Im not the only one thats going through this. While speaking about Goodson, Bullard mentioned prison staff had found more drugs under a podium in a unit. Orban then fled, leaving his service weapon behind and still in the victims vehicle, police said. In 2014, a Lanesboro officer was paid $29,800 but made another $35,600 in overtime. Its unclear whether better staffing would have saved Callahans life. [53], On December 8, 2016, an officer was arrested for "unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously" allowed the sexual abuse between her son and the alleged victim to occur. Multiple drug overdoses in the area near Maddens home on the 8000 block of N.C. 72 East near Lumberton sparked the start of the investigation that ended in his arrest, McLean said. Lexipol. Tabor Correctional Institution is a great place to work but there are daily situations that arise that may jeopardize a persons life whether it be staff or inmates. Experts said that better staffing at the prison likely would have meant more eyes and ears on what inmates were doing, faster response times and more officers on the scene. On Nov. 18, the day after Goodson was pronounced dead, investigators again met with Bullard, who showed them videos from the night Goodson apparently overdosed. The prisons first responders performed lifesaving measures until local paramedics arrived who also worked to resuscitate the offender and pronounced Moore deceased at 4:56 a.m., a news release states. There is no prior relationship between the victim and the suspects, McBride said. Prison leaders plan to examine many factors, including staffing patterns, Guice said. The incident resulted in an "active shooter" announcement being broadcast over the hospital's public address system. TABOR CITY, N.C. (WECT) - An inmate at Tabor Correctional Institution died of an apparent suicide, according to the N.C. Department of Public Safety. Pros Great job security, benefits, salary, etc. (910) 763-0979 | newsroom@wwaytv3.com1224 Magnolia Village Way, Leland, NC 28451. Thompson had been a correctional officer with Tabor Correctional since July 2018 before resigning Monday. "After the decision was made to locate the prisons in Tabor City, the town had to fight the battle of paying for the land (and giving the land to the state) and we (Tabor City) had to fight the battle of raising the millions of dollars in grants that it took to service the prisons with water and sewer" [4], The design of Tabor Correctional is the same as six other North Carolina prisons. These allegations are under internal investigation as well. During this time. The gun was determined to belong to Orban, police said. [28], Once Kenworthy, first hired in 1982 as a corrections officer [21] retired after a long career with the North Carolina Department of Corrections, numerous controversies under the new leadership were reported. The San Bernardino County District Attorneys office has not received the case yet from Ontario police, and has until Tuesday to file charges, spokeswoman Susan Mickey said. Look for more on this story as events warrant and in the next Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online. It was first opened in 1984 and came with 240 inmates; however, over time, the facility has become even bigger with the capability of housing around 1752 inmates. A criminal investigation is underway after an inmate was attacked early Wednesday morning at Tabor Correctional Institution. Raleigh May 3, 2021 The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named Stephen Jacobs as the new warden of Tabor Correctional Institution in Tabor City. The ATFs database called the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, or NIBIN, also will be used to determine if guns were stolen. #ThisIsThePlace. researches product purchases and suppliers. Madden was placed in the Robeson County Detention Center under a $1,075,000 secured bond, according to the Sheriffs Office. An investigation into the officer was ongoing at the time of the news report, although Department of Corrections Spokesman Keith Acree said "Most often when employees are caught doing this and charged, they resign," Acree was unable to say how many employees resigned after being charged with drug offenses, although the news report reference two other recent issues with prison employees. Meggan Callahan was killed there - allegedly by an inmate who beat her to death with a fire extinguisher. July 17, 2022. Synthetic cannabinoids, a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration online Drug Fact Sheet says, mimic THC, the main psychoactive ingredient of marijuana.. element: "#evvnt-calendar-widget", Select the option or tab named Internet Options (Internet Explorer), Options (Firefox), Preferences (Safari) or Settings (Chrome). North Carolina. Copyright 2021 WECT. I always was saying that at least when hes doing time like that I know where hes at and hes okay, but boy was I wrong, Pressley said. }, [35] According to the same news report, the department of public safety conducted an investigation, "but the results aren't public record. Three correctional officers are off the job amid allegations of drug smuggling and after an inmate died from an apparent overdose. The former NASCAR driver Robert East, known as Bobby, was fatally stabbed on Wednesday in Westminster, Calif., the authorities said, and the suspect in the stabbing was killed on . Sheriff: Its a black eye to the law enforcement profession. A Tabor Correctional Institution offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died at a hospital. Its not safe, McCoy said. [1] The prison opened in 2008. I got a call from the prison that said that he was in the hospital, in the ICU, Pressley said. All rights reserved. Bertie now houses about 935 inmates. Jelinek is a four-year officer with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. TABOR CITY, N.C. (WECT) - An inmate at Tabor Correctional Institution died of an apparent suicide, according to the N.C. Department of Public Safety. [52], The third administrator was named in January 2016, Brad Perritt. Bertie isnt the only state prison with staffing problems. Investigators filed their first report, with the crime/incident listed as negligent manslaughter, on Nov. 18, six days after an inmate, Dustin Goodson, was taken to the hospital by prison staff for a suspected drug overdose. United States; Search; 2022; 2022 Honor Roll of Heroes. And this time it came up snake eyes, he said. She will be spending the holidays grieving for her only son, but she can take some comfort in one decision Goodson made to change the lives of others as an organ donor. [33], Another issue, faced under the new Administrator's term in February 2014, was the death of a 39-year-old inmate, in which an autopsy was needed to determine the cause of death. It puts officers lives in danger to be honest., The inmates literally say, You all are understaffed, so if we wanted to, we could overtake this prison. . More than 50 dosage units, 200 grams of the synthetic drug commonly known as K2/Spice was recovered, Conway said. Investigators filed a separate report for drug trafficking/smuggling following their conversation with Bullard on Nov. 18. As soon as we plug a hole in one area, offenders find a work around. Jacobs began his career in 1993 as a correctional officer at the former Cabarrus Correctional Center. [43] It revealed that guards at the prison had been fired for unnecessary uses of force against an inmate, an officer having an inappropriate relationship with an inmate, for unsatisfactory job performance and sleeping while on duty, falsification of doctors' notes and being arrested and charged with first degree burglary. While the Ontario officers were interviewing Orban and Jelinek, they received word about the sexual assault involving a firearm in Fontana. The Ontario officers, however, felt their statements were inconsistent and somewhat suspicious, police said. [24] When this possible health issue was reported, Mr. Kenworthy stated, "If something of that nature did occur and it was determined that some of our other population was exposed, necessary actions would be taken to provide those inmates with the appropriate testing and/or medical treatment that would ensure their well-being as well as the staff here. The smuggling of drugs into prisons is a nationwide problem, not just a North Carolina problem. 8 Corrections jobs available in Tabor City, NC on Indeed.com. Three correctional officers resign amid drug smuggling allegations and suspected inmate overdose death, Three corrections officers resign amid drug smuggling allegations, National Park Service says never push a slower friend down when escaping a bear, 2 dead, 1 deputy injured in Harnett County chase, crash, officials say; chase suspect on the run. Derek C. Madden, 32, of Lumberton, was charged with two counts of trafficking opium or heroin, possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, two counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a Schedule II controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a Schedule III controlled substance, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, nine counts of possession of a stolen firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia and simple possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, according to the Robeson County Sheriffs Office. [10], Early in 2014, an addition housing 252 minimum inmates opened, rasing the maximum number of inmates housed at Tabor Prison to 1,752. [45] During the same month, WECT reported that an officer was charged, while on duty, with stealing over $30,000 in property and cash from an employee at the UNC Hospital's Ambulatory Care Center. Investigators spoke with an Assistant District Attorney, who requested an autopsy be performed on Goodson. All rights reserved. The Department of Public Safety has zero tolerance for any staff involved in any illegal activity and is cooperating fully in this investigation. But he said that Gov. "The prison's first responders performed lifesaving . widget: true, Madden resigned Friday from his post as a correctional officer at Tabor Correctional Institution, according to John Bull, a Communications officer for Prisons at the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. Three correctional officers resign amid drug smuggling allegations and suspected inmate overdose death, 3 hurt in crash involving motorcycle near Surfside Beach, Darlington fire captain recovering after cutting torch explosion, Panthers founder, former owner Jerry Richardson dies at 86, Runners arrive, prepare for Myrtle Beach Marathon, Police: 1 shot, body found in Forestbrook area, Everybody is cheering him on: Duo ready to rock and roll through Myrtle Beach Marathon, wmbf-publicfile@gray.tv - (843) 839-9623. He was arrested and charged with trafficking synthetic cannabinoids into the prison. Over the past four years, the Division of Prisons has: We educate, train and do everything possible to keep contraband out. Inmate Craig Wissink, who has been serving a life sentence for murder since 2004, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Callahans death. He was arrested and charged with trafficking synthetic cannabinoids into the prison. At Bertie, Callahan was responding to a fire set inside a trash can on the evening of April 26 when an inmate beat her to death with the fire extinguisher shed brought to douse the flames, state officials say. [7] A double fence surrounds the prison.[8]. Early on the morning of Nov. 15, 2013, Lanesboro had just four officers in the chow hall to oversee the 100 inmates who were there for breakfast, McCoy said. This is usually something we see on legal mail, Wilkins said. As a part of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Division of Prisons, it opened in 2008, and housed, as of July 2014, a maximum of 1,752 inmates,[15] providing over 500 jobs to the economically depressed area. 2175 N. Roberts Ave, According to state law, correctional officers cannot have been convicted of misdemeanors for three years. Editors note: WECT is not naming the other two correctional officers as they have not been charged with any crime. [3] Backlog refers to the housing of inmates in county jails as the prison system has insufficient space to house the inmates. This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. The other officer on shift with Thompson had been at Tabor Correctional since June 2019. We'd love to hear from you. Dustin Goodson is the inmate who died from the suspected drug overdose at Tabor Correctional. Inmate Dustin D. Goodson, 31, suffered an apparent overdose on Nov. 12 and was taken to McLeod Loris Hospital, where he was later declared brain dead. We celebrate community and we tell your stories. This is a constant battle, fought daily. Geo resource failed to load. "Warden Bullard is an exceptional, insightful leader with deep knowledge of the prison and how the prison system . Only one faces criminal charges at this time, though . Former Tabor Correctional officer jailed after sheriffs deputies seize drugs, 99 firearms three Robeson County detention officers in April, Lumber River United Way holds Annual Day of Caring, PSRC leaders continue defense of El Curriculum, NC report shows increase in student misconduct in 2021-22, Innovation, 3D printing saves UNCP swim meet, Pirates hit as Register hits 200 career wins, Big inning sends Pirates baseball past Hoke. Anthony Nicholas Orban, 30, a five-year officer assigned to investigations with the Westminster Police Department, has been relieved from duty pending an investigation, a department spokesman said Monday morning. Copyright 2023 Corrections1. These allegations are under internal investigation as well, Bull said in a statement. submission: { Do Not Sell My Personal Information. More than 121 grams of synthetic marijuana was discovered during a search of the cell. Three correctional officers named in two separate incident reports filed by the Tabor City Police Department have resigned in the past week. The state has recently made offers to about 400 officer candidates, so the vacancy rate will likely drop, Guice said. He is assigned to the Chino Institute for Men. (The officer) said that Thompson had come to her and asked her if she wanted to make some extra money on several occasions but that she didnt want anything to do with it, investigators wrote in the report. They might have had enough officers to subdue that inmate before he got that fire extinguisher from the sergeant, said Robert Webster, a former captain at two North Carolina maximum-security prisons. WESTMINSTER An off-duty Westminster police officer and an off-duty state corrections officer were arrested Saturday night in connection with a carjacking, kidnapping and rape of a 25-year-old restaurant employee in Ontario, police said. That works out to about one officer for every 29 inmates. Despite the objections of the NCDPS head Frank Perry, the contracts were renewed. Angela Smith, who worked as an officer at Tabor Correctional Institution from 2010 to 2014, said she was often asked to work overtime because the prison was so understaffed. He can actually send illegal contraband through the jail, such as weapons, McLean said if the stamp were used on mail to inmates. Thompson was booked at the Columbus County Detention Center Friday evening, his bond set at $25,000 secured, Conway said. All it would take is for five or ten guys to decide were going to take over the prison. There are no doubts drugs get into prisons despite extensive efforts to keep them out. Statewide, about 16 percent of officer positions are vacant. On Nov. 18, the day after Goodson was pronounced dead, investigators again met with Bullard, who showed them videos from the night Goodson apparently overdosed. map: false, . Only one faces criminal charges at this time, though the State Bureau of Investigation has opened a probe in the matter. Shown are guns seized by Robeson County Sheriffs Office investigators Thursday during the search of a home on N.C. 72 East near Lumberton. The original maximum number of inmates housed at the prison was 1,500. Go. A correctional officer was in handcuffs Friday afternoon, charged with trafficking synthetic cannabinoids inside Tabor Correctional Institution. COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - The state Department of Public Safety has launched an internal investigation after a Tabor Correctional inmate died of a suspected overdose amid allegations of correctional officers smuggling drugs into the prison. Prison leaders say they have begun assigning new officers career readiness coaches, who provide pointers on dealing with inmates, keeping themselves safe and attaining career goals. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu, First Circuit: Surgery performed on inmate to locate alleged contraband a violation of the Fourth Amendment, Ala. police: Man gets ride home from jail, then kills 3 relatives and friend, Charges dropped against detainee after video showed beating by deputies inside Ga. jail, Inmate accused of slashing N.Y. corrections officer indicted, Open the tools menu in your browser. Officials say that Malek Moore, 29, was found unresponsive in his cell shortly after 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.