The first weekend of June saw a flurry of arrests from local law enforcement officials on a combination of charges — from the arrest of a longtime Kinston Department of Public Safety fire captain, to an accused methamphetamine manufacturer, to two robbery suspects.
Fire captain accused of peeping, exploiting juveniles
Thomas Andrew Taylor Sr., a 26-year veteran with the fire division of the KDPS, was arrested and charged by the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office with felony counts of peeping, possession of photographic images, secretly using an image device and disseminating images. He has been a KDPS fire captain for 17 years.
On Friday, a joint investigation between the LCSO and the Department of Homeland Security yielded a search warrant for a Braxton Road residence.
Based upon information gathered by DHS investigators, the Internet address that was being used by the suspect was at 4595 Braxton Road in Grifton. DHS had obtained evidence through the internet that a juvenile was being exploited, which involved child nudity. This information led to a search warrant for the Lenoir County residence on Braxton Road.
Taylor was immediately identified as the homeowner who lived at the residence. He was not present when the search warrant was executed, but was contacted after the identification was confirmed.
It was also discovered that Taylor is a firefighter with the KDPS and a sworn reserve deputy with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.
Computers at the residence were found to contain footage Taylor had recorded of a victim who was being exploited via the internet. Investigators believe the victim had no knowledge of the recordings.
Investigators contacted Taylor — who was at work in Kinston — and asked him to return to his residence. In an attempt to destroy evidence, Taylor threw his laptop computer into a creek off N.C. 58 North in Kinston on the way home. With assistance from Hugo Fire and Rescue, the computer was recovered and is being processed for evidence by the DHS.
“While Taylor is innocent until proven guilty, it still disappoints me that someone who is in a position of trust can put themselves into this type of situation. It is an embarrassment to both firefighters and law enforcement,” Lenoir County Sheriff Chris Hill said. “Regardless, my deputies and I have a job to do, and the people of Lenoir County expect me and all other law enforcement to carry it out regardless of race, age, sex or position within the community.”
Taylor is being held in the Lenoir County Detention Center under a $35,000 secured bond. More charges may be pending.
Deep Run man accused of making meth
On Saturday around 5:30 p.m., Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics detectives went to 2324 Juniper Lane, Deep Run, regarding a drug complaint. Detectives made contact with Eric Phillip Harper, 23, and advised him of the narcotics complaint they had received. Harper cooperated with detectives by consenting to a search of his residence.
During the search, detectives saw numerous items leading them to believe an active meth lab was within the home. Investigators discovered drug scales for weighing illegal narcotics and methamphetamine.
Detectives immediately exited the residence pursuant to meth lab discovery protocol.
Narcotics detectives immediately requested assistance from the Deep Run Fire Department and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations Meth Lab Response Team.
“One of our specially-trained narcotics detectives re-entered the residence and collected numerous pieces of evidence, including bottles used to produce meth,” Hill said. “This bottle contained a hazardous by-product of meth production. The detective also found lye, salt, batteries — all of which are used in the production of meth.”
“We have to credit the citizens who notified us,” Hill said. “We cannot eliminate this type of criminal activity without their assistance.”
Harper has been charged with maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances, manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine precursors. He is being held at the Lenoir County Detention Center under a $130,000 secured bond.
Two arrested on robbery charges
On Friday around 11:29 p.m., members of KDPS responded to a disturbance call at 422 E. Washington Ave., Kinston. Upon their arrival, a male and female told officers they had been robbed.
Two suspects, Darrell Scott Koonce, 26, of 406 Georgetown Road, and Keno Terrel Williams, 27, of 711 W. Highland Ave., attempted to flee the area and were arrested by Kinston officers.
Koonce was charged with robbery and resist, obstruct and delay and placed in the Lenoir County Jail under a $100,000 secured bond.
Williams was charged with robbery, resist, obstruct and delay and assault by pointing a gun and placed in the Lenoir County Jail under a $150,000 secured bond. No one was injured during the incident.
Crime Lineup
Thomas Andrew Taylor Sr.
Fire captain with Kinston Department of Public Safety; deputy with Greene County Sheriff’s Office
Felony charges of peeping, possession of photographic images, secretly using an image device, and disseminating images
Bond: $35,000
Eric Phillip Harper
Felony charges of maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances, manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine precursors
Bond: $130,000
Keno Terrel Williams
Felony charges of with robbery, resist, obstruct and delay and assault by pointing a gun
Bond: $150,000
Darrell Scott Koonce Jr.
Felony charges of robbery and resist, obstruct and delay
Bond: $100,000