RFP Staff

♦ Kevin Shawn Hurley, 28, of Bee Lake Drive in Salisbury and sought by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, was arrested on a traffic stop Wednesday at 899 Providence Church Road near Poole Road on a number of drug and ID theft charges.

Since his arrest Wednesday Hurley is charged with breaking and entering-building (felony), 2 counts of failure to appear/comply (misdemeanor), obtaining  property by false pretenses (felony), identity theft (felony), traffic stolen identities (felony), possession control substance schedule II (felony) and possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor).

Under a secured $70,500 bond, Hurley remains in the Rowan County Detention Center. He will have his first court appearance on June 15th.

Kevin Shawn Hurley:

Rowan County Sheriff’s deputies issued arrest warrants for Hurley on May 17th based on his alleged use of someone else’s N.C. Driver’s license to illegally purchase pseudoephedrine, a meth precursor chemical, from area pharmacies. Hurley faced charges of allegedly trafficking stolen ID’s with the intent of assisting others in purchasing pseudoephedrine from other drug stores. According to North Carolina statutes persons must show a picture ID to purchase drugs containing pseudoephedrine. State laws also regulate the frequency of purchase.

During his flight from law enforcement Hurley allegedly broke into a property only to be discovered by its owner. Hurley fled, leaving behind drug paraphernalia including syringes, pipes, and spoons.

Kevin Shawn Hurley’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0944068&searchLastName=hurley&searchFirstName=kevin&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

THE ROWAN FREE PRESS

♦ Remember Those Who Made the Greatest Sacrifice This MEMORIAL DAY Weekend:

Kenny Hardin, Salisbury City Councilman

♦ The Salisbury Parks & Recreation Department hosted a great ceremony earlier today honoring the late Fred M. Evans by renaming the pool at Lincoln Park in his honor.

His wife, Raemi, children, Fredrick (Yvette) and Janine, and their children were all on hand for this honor. Mayor Karen Alexander drafted a proclamation letter that I read in her absence. City Manager Lane Bailey also attended.

Salisbury City Councilman Reads a Proclamation Letter from Mayor Karen Alexander Honoring the Late Fred M. Evans:

Several of the lifeguards who trained under Mr. Evans returned from in and out of State and shared heartwarming remarks and memories of working under him.

His daughter, Janine Evans, spoke on behalf of the family thanking the capacity crowd in attendance for their love and support. She urged the crowd to continue “guarding the lives of the young people on the City.”

His son, Fredrick, addressed the filled area and implored the people to honor his father by going out into the community and taking back control. He touched on the elevated crime levels in the City and challenged the crowd to do a better job of caring for the elderly. He spoke of how he had to share his father with so many other young people growing up, so not to give up on them.

Dr. Windsor Eagle spoke of how Mr. Evans helped him transition into his role as a new principal over 30 years ago. He also shared how instrumental Mr. Evans was in easing tensions during the integration of Price and Boyden High Schools.

After all the remarks concluded, everyone went outside to watch the unveiling of the new name at the pool’s entrance and a book exchange box at the curbside.

This was a special event and I was proud to have a visible role in it today.

The Fred M. Evans Pool:

The Evans Family after the Unveiling of the New Name:

Janine Evans Speaking on Behalf of Her Family:

The Evans Family:

Unveiling the Curbside Book Case Box:

RFP Staff

♦ Prior to Midnight Saturday a shooting occurred near 205 South Clay Street in Salisbury.  Multiple gunshots were reported by neighbors.  The Salisbury Police were on scene within 15 minutes as well as an emergency vehicle which transported the shooting victim Christopher Shepherd,44, said to be a relative the murder victim Larry Lamar “Turtle” Cruse, to Novant Rowan Regional Medical Center for treatment. Later he was transported by helicopter to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. Shepherd was wounded twice in the legs. He was later released.

Salisbury Police sources say Shepherd was shot just outside the house at 205 South Clay Street. The shooter, allegedly Joshua Alexander Hovis, 29, of 425 East Liberty Street in Salisbury, and a second suspect approached Shepherd from behind and shot him twice in the legs. Allegedly Hovis and a second suspect fled the scene in a vehicle.

Later around 1 a.m. the Salisbury Police saw Hovis refueling his car at the BP Gas Station on Statesville Boulevard and West Innes Street. Hovis surrendered to the police without incident and was handcuffed. In a search of Hovis and his vehicle, officers seized a 9 mm handgun, a scale, over $600 in cash, a small amount of marijuana, 8 grams of crack cocaine, 8 grams of cocaine powder, and other items.

A gathering was going on at the house at 205 S. Clay in memory of the murder victim Larry Lamar Cruse who died in the early morning hours on Saturday May 14th. His funeral was on Saturday at Noble & Kelsey Funeral Home.

The Salisbury Police Arrived on South Clay prior to midnight:

Crime is no stranger to the community not far from the Waffle House and Wilco-Hess.

Joshua Alexander Hovis:

Arrested Sunday morning Hovis was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill/inflict serious injury (felony), weapons possession by felon of firearms etc. prohibited (misdemeanor), carry concealed gun (felony), possession control substance schedule II (felony), possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver control substance schedule II (felony), simple possession schedule IV control substances (misdemeanor), and possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor).

Under a secured $200,000 bond, Hovis is in the Rowan County Detention Center. He is scheduled for a hearing May 31st. A second suspect in the shooting is still being sought.

Joshua Alexander Hovis’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0802384&searchLastName=Hovis&searchFirstName=Joshua&searchMiddleName=a&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

No motives are yet disclosed. The shooting remains under investigation.

If you have any information about this shooting please call the Salisbury Police Department at 704-638-5333 or the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**This is a developing article and will be updated as more information arrives.**

The Corner of East Fisher and South Shaver:

205 South Clay Street:

An investigator remains on the scene in the late morning:

The Rowan Free Press’s Article on the Murder of Larry Lamar Cruse:

Larry Lamar Cruse Found Shot to Death inside a Car Near N. MLK, Jr. Avenue and E. Council Street Saturday Morning in Salisbury

The Rowan Free Press’s Article on Johua Aleaxander Hovis’s Arrest in East Spencer for Alleged Weapons-of-Mass-Destruction and Cocaine:

Joshua Alexander Hovis, Salisbury, N.C. Felon, Busted in East Spencer for Alleged “Weapons of Mass Destruction” and Cocaine

A special thanks to all the neighbors and police officers who assisted in this article!

Todd Paris, RFP Staff and Salisbury Attorney

♦ Ralph Ketner was the co-founder of the Food Town grocery chain that sprang from a single store in 1960’s Salisbury, North Carolina to become one of America’s largest grocery providers. Using his novel “Lowest Food Prices in North Carolina” (LFPINC), Ralph’s penny-pinching ways allowed him to beat the prices of most competitors (many of whom are no longer in business.)

Food Town was financed in the good old American way, with the founders basically going to everyone they knew and offering stock in the new business. Many of these folks were farmers and mill workers and people of modest means that trusted Ralph with often their life savings. By the time this chain’s name was changed to Food Lion and was sold to foreign investors, many of those small investors would become millionaires and multi-millionaires. During my last conversation with him, this seemed to be one of accomplishments he was proudest of.

Mr. Ketner gave back to the community in too many ways to list in this space. Most public spirited endeavors in this community can list him as a donor. When I last spoke to Ralph in 2015, his mind was still sharp and his prodigious talent for math was still amazing to observe. Still involved in the community, he was concerned over the cost for the airport runway expansion and had come up with a plan to save tax-payers millions. Hopefully, this was passed on to the County Commission.

Rowan County was much the richer for having known Mr. Ketner and much poorer with his loss. He was a good, honest, hardworking, and brilliant businessman who left this world better for his existence. We should all aspire to that.

The North Carolina History Project’s Bio on Ralph Ketner:

http://web.archive.org/web/20150918123811/http://www.northcarolinahistory.org:80/commentary/118/entry

PVT Stephen Elliot Arthur, Ft. Sill, OK

Former Salisbury City Council Candidate Stephen A. Arthur has joined the National Guard on the way to becoming an “88 Mike” with the local Transportation Unit. RFP asked him when he shipped out to update us when he could. Here are some excerpts from his letter.

Hey, sorry I haven’t sent any updates recently. I’ve been busy and haven’t had time to sit down and write anything. Right now I am in medical quarters. I was having pain in my teeth and they had to remove my wisdom teeth, so I missed a couple of days of training. However last week we were working on our rifle marksmanship and I was the first to qualify and thus, I was able to afford missing a few days.

Basic training is broken into three different phases, called Red, White and then Blue. I have just moved from red phase to white phase after being tested on things we learned in Red Phase like M-16 operation, gas masks, marching commands and basic military knowledge. The first few weeks of White Phase we spent on rifle qualifying and next week we will have grenade practice, a confidence obstacle course and our second PT test. I did well on my first PT test, scoring 230 out of 300 points. I hear a night camp out and tactical maneuvers are next.

I have roughly four and one half weeks left of Basic them I’m off to train to be an “88 Mike.”

I hope everyone back home is doing well and I look forward to returning home.

For those of you wondering, Stephen is not allowed a cell phone or access to the internet during basic. He promises to update his Facebook as soon as it’s allowed. A salute here, to Mr. Arthur. National Guard and Reserve troops have been deployed in harms way many times during our nation’s history.

Todd Paris, RFP Staff Writer and Salisbury Attorney

♦ Salisbury, May 28th–You might remember a report earlier this week about a gunshot fired into a duplex window on the corner of Old Plank Road and Wilson Street that remains unsolved. Latest news is that the shooter is suspected to have been on foot and the round likely fired from an SKS or AK type 7.62X 39 mm rifle.

North Carolina Elite Freedom Shooters rolled out on full patrol tonight with their trusty mascot, Ivan the dog. The initial mission was to spot and remove gang signs in the neighborhood and watch for and report criminal activity.

The group stopped to talk to folks in the community and found some support there for the effort. Some folks were just curious and some apprehensive. The group wants to make friends and gather information in the community. With a degree in Criminal Justice, Brandon and his group are well they are limited to observing and reporting criminal activity and allowed to defend themselves only if attacked. They are a town watch.

The citizen’s patrol continued down Standish Street, Brenner, Milford Hills, Locke Street, Thomas Street, and back to Old Plank Road .

Little happened Saturday night other than making friends with neighbors and giving Ivan a good walk. However, who knows what criminal activity was suppressed by these citizens eyes and ears.

Bradlee Messer, Devin Sells, J.P., Hans Muschlitz, Brandon Barker, and Ivan the dog on Patrol on the Old Plank Road:

Brandon Lee Barker Memorial Day on the Old Plank Road:

RFP Staff

♦ Detris Lamar King, 34, of the Holly Leaf Apartments at 2200 block of Woodleaf Road in Salisbury, was arrested Sunday for allegedly exposing his genitals through his open zipper at the open front door of his apartment to a young girl in a nearby apartment.  The girl, said to be under 16, informed her mother who allegedly took a cell phone video of the episode.  According to police sources the neighbor alleges King exposed himself on other occasions.

King was charged with indecent exposure (misdemeanor). He was released on a written promise to appear in court.

More charges could be forthcoming as the investigation continues.

Detris Lamar King:

The Holly Leaf Apartments in Salisbury, N.C.

RFP Staff

♦ A trio of alleged teenage burglars were arrested Sunday at 10:13 p.m. in a shopping center parking lot at 2141 Statesville Boulevard in Salisbury.  The Salisbury Police stopped a red Honda, identified as the alleged vehicle employed in a burglary at the Laurel Pointe Apartments, and made it pull into the shopping center lot.  The driver, Adrianna Christine Ewart, 18, of the 700 block of MLK, Jr. Avenue in Salisbury and Juan Rayvon Fair, 18, of 700 block of Laurel Pointe Circle in Salisbury, a front seat passenger, surrendered.  A third suspect Jamal Aaron West, 17, of the 500 block of Lakewood Drive in Salisbury, was discovered in the Honda’s trunk when the Police heard his muffled voice.

The Shopping Center at 2141 Statesville Boulevard where the Alleged Burglars were Arrested:

RFP Staff

Earlier neighbors spotted several persons carrying out items from an apartment at 904 Laurel Pointe Circle and load them into a red Honda Accord. The apartment owner reported 4 flat screen TVs, approximately $300 in coins, a computer, a stereo unit, a Play Station game console, and 2 rings were missing. Allegedly a number of the items were recovered during the Police stop at the Statesville Boulevard shopping center.

The Laurel Pointe Apartments:

All three suspects were charged with burglary (second degree) (felony) and larceny (felony).

Both Fair and West were placed under a secured $50,000 bond. Both are being held at the Rowan County Detention Center.

Under a secured $25,000 bond, Ewart was being held at the Rowan County Detention Center until she was released on bond.

Adrianna Christine Ewart:

Juan Rayvon Fair:

Jamal Aaron West:

RFP Staff

♦ Jennifer Leshay Bostic, 28, from Salisbury was arrested Monday just after 12 a.m. at Bostian and Daughtery Roads in China Grove for allegedly stealing a car and attempting to resist and flee from a Rowan County Sheriff’s Office Deputy.

Bostic was charged with resist/delay/obstruct a public officer (misdemeanor) and larceny motor vehicle (felony).  Under a secured $3,000 bond, Bostic remains in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Bostic has a previous record in Norwalk, Ohio where she was listed as a fugitive in October 2015.

http://www.norwalkreflector.com/Local/2015/10/02/Latest-list-of-local-fugitives-released-26

RFP Staff

♦ Rowan County Sheriff’s Office deputies along with firefighters in hazmat suits raided 605 Candlewick Drive in Salisbury Tuesday.  After tips from informants that something was “cooking” on the Candlewick Drive Property, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office armed with warrants methodically combed the property looking for Jared Anthony McManus’s alleged lab and the chemist himself. The found two separate one-pot meth labs in the rear of the property–one in a dog house on the back porch and a second in the back yard. They struck out on locating McManus. He remains at large as of Wednesday morning.

During Tuesday’s search through McManus’s property they allegedly found ample evidence of meth production and the supplies and chemical precursors required to create one of the most addictive and toxic drugs on the street. McManus lived with his family at 605 Candlewick Drive and was on probation after his conviction on April 20th 2016.

WANTED: JARED ANTHONY MCMANUS:

McManus faces charges of manufacturing methamphetamine, possession/distribution of methamphetamine precursors, Maintaining a dwelling to keep and sell a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Meth Lab:

If anyone knows McManus’s whereabouts, they are asked to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office at 704-215-8700 or Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

Jared Anthony McManus’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=1057552&searchLastName=McManus&searchFirstName=Jared&searchMiddleName=a&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

605 Candlewick Drive, Salisbury N.C.:

Rowan Free Press Article on January 12th 2015: “Jared McManus, 31, Alleged Salisbury, N.C. Meth Chemist, Busted at His Garage Lab Friday.”

“As Salisbury, N.C.’s meth epidemic mushrooms, Jared Anthony McManus, 31, alleged Salisbury meth chemist, was arrested at his garage lab Friday.

After obtaining a warrant to search McManus’s house on Candlewick Drive, Salisbury Police discovered precursor chemicals commonly employed in meth manufacture. Also uncovered was a single-pot methamphetamine lab in his garage.

McManus was charged with manufacture of Control Substance II, traffic in drugs, possession of immediate precursor chemical, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

McManus, under a $100,000 secured bond, was booked into the Rowan County Detention Center.

In August 2014 McManus was charged with possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia.”

Public Announcement

♦ The Rowan County Republican Breakfast Club will meet on Saturday June 4th at Ryan’s at 730 Jake Alexander Blvd. South in Salisbury, N.C.  Doors open at 8 a.m. for breakfast.  Meeting begins at 9 a.m.  Enjoy the breakfast conversation and comradship.  The topic for this Saturday’s meeting will be: “Is there any merit in combining both maintenance systems of the School System and the County Maintenance Department?”

Saturday’s breakfast meeting is the last meeting prior to the congressional election primary. Any candidate who would like to speak will be given time to do so.

Bring your friends.

RFP Staff

♦ Saturday residents living in the area of around 445 Jackson Road heard a gunshot around 9:29 p.m. and called 911. When Sheriff’s Office deputies showed up, they learned a weekend gathering had taken place at 445 Jackson Road outside of Rockwell. A number of vehicles sped away from the Jackson Road home immediately after the shooting. The deputies found Darious Marquis Robertson, 25, who lived at the house, bleeding from a gunshot wound to the right calf.

Investigators questioned Robertson about the shooting, but allegedly Robertson proved uncooperative and did not respond to questions. The wounded man was transported to Carolinas HealthCare System Northeast in Concord for treatment. His gunshot wound is said to be not life threatening.

The shooter’s weapon was said to be a handgun. As yet no motives were provided and no suspects are announced. The case remains under investigation.

It is not known if this shooting is related to the uptick of gang violence allegedly occurring in Salisbury said to be a battle between the Bloods and the Crips.

If anyone knows about the shooting or shooters they are asked to call the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office at 704-215-8700 or Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

Victim Darious Marquis Robertson:

RFP Staff

♦ Early Wednesday morning the Salisbury Police raided a house at 920 Maple Avenue in Salisbury where they served search warrants on Ernest Anthony Barnhardt, Jr., 38 and Lydia Tabitha Nicopulos, 38, The police received complaints of alleged drug activity at that address. Seized in the raid were 5 grams of crack, a .38 caliber handgun, and 38 grams of marijuana.

Barnhardt was charged with possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver control substance schedule II (felony), possession of control substance schedule VI (misdemeanor), maintain dwelling/vehicle for controlled substance (felony), and possession of a firearm by a felon (misdemeanor). Under a secured $50,000 bond, Barnhardt was detained in the Rowan County Detention Center and later made bail.

Nicopulos was charged possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver control substance schedule II (felony), possession of control substance schedule VI (misdemeanor), and maintain dwelling/vehicle for controlled substance (felony). Under a secured $20,000 bond, Nicopulos is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Ernest Anthony Barnhardt, Jr.:

Lydia Tabitha Nicopulos:

Ernest Anthony Barnhardt, Jr.’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0469550&searchLastName=Barnhardt&searchFirstName=Ernest&searchMiddleName=a&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

Lydia Tabitha Nicopulos’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0952573&searchLastName=nicopulos&searchFirstName=lydia&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

RFP Staff

♦ Early Wednesday at about 3:47 a.m. Shaquille Deandre Ijames, 24, of Salisbury, was arrested by the Salisbury Police for shooting into an occupied apartment building at 308 Laurel Pointe Circle in Salisbury.  Thankfully none of the occupants were wounded according to reports. At this time no motives for the shooting were revealed.

Ijames was charged with discharge of a firearm into an occupied property officer inside (felony), shooting firearms within the city limits (misdemeanor), weapon possession by felon of firearms etc. prohibited (felony), and failure to appear/comply (misdemeanor). Under a secured $55,000 bond, Ijames is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center. His first court date is June 3rd 2016.

Shaquille Deandre IJames:

308 Laurel Pointe Circle in Salisbury:

Shaquille Deandre Ijames Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=1283949&searchLastName=ijames&searchFirstName=Shaquille&searchMiddleName=d&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

**This article will be updated as soon as more information arrives.**

RFP Staff

♦ Video: Salisbury’s Main Street Blight from the South Main Badlands through Vacancy Strewn North Main:

FREE Guide for PREVENTING PANHANDLING:

http://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/alfresco/publication-pdfs/1001191-Preventing-Panhandling.PDF

RFP Staff

♦ Brothers David Lewis Crockett, Jr. 33 and Gerald Lamont Steele, 39, of 904-B Third Street in Spencer were arrested Thursday as the result of an alleged joint heroin sting by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).  Both Sheriff’s Office investigators and SBI agents working undercover allegedly made multiple heroin purchases over a two month period.

Early Thursday morning the Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the SBI, the Spencer Police, and the Salisbury Police “closed the show” at the brothers residence when they employed an explosive to blast open a reinforced door to gain entry.  Neither brother was at home at the time of the warranted search when law enforcement allegedly found a loaded .380 caliber handgun, scales, and other paraphernalia.  Later the same morning Crockett and Steele were located separately in Spencer and arrested.

Crockett was charged with 5 counts of attempt and conspiracy; penalties (felony) and 5 counts of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver controlled substance schedule I.  Under a secured $400,000 bond, he is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Steele was charged with weapon possession by a felon of firearms etc. prohibited (misdemeanor), 5 counts of attempt and conspiracy; penalties (felony),4 counts of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver controlled substance schedule I (felony), and four counts of maintaining a dwelling/vehicle for a controlled substance (felony). Under a secured $500,000 bond, Steele is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center.

David Lewis Crockett, Jr.:

Gerald Lamont Steele:

David Lewis Crockett, Jr.’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0531765&searchLastName=crockett&searchFirstName=David&searchMiddleName=l&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

Crockett was also convicted on federal drug charges in 2003 in the Western District of North Carolina and served time in a federal prison from 2003 until 2010.

Gerald Lamont Steele’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0504280&searchLastName=steele&searchFirstName=gerald&searchMiddleName=l&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

Steele was convicted of federal drug charges in 2003 in the Western District of North Carolina and served time in federal prison from 2003 until 2014. Upon leaving prison he remained on supervised release.

RFP Staff

♦ The following email was shared with us Friday by our friends working in the Rowan County government.  While we believe the email represents a good move on the part of Rowan County Sheriff’s Office in beefing up Salisbury’s badly understaffed police department (allegedly between 22 to 25 open slots in the department roster according to current SPD employees and former employees) during the critical summer months of June, July, and August when criminal violence is certain to rise.  Our only quibble is that the county taxpayers are being forced to foot the bill for the City of Salisbury’s legendary fiscal irresponsibility (the Fibrant debacle–multiple millions lost every year and a water and sewer system gasping for repair and upgrade with its funds drained).  A lot of county folks are greatly displeased about being forced pay backdoor through their water bills for Salisbury’s Fibrant fiasco.  The email:

“The county Manager has approved $45,000 in overtime funds over the next three months (June, July, and August) for our agency to partner with Salisbury PD in an attempt to decrease violent crimes within the city limits of Salisbury. Attached is a copy of the scheduled traffic checkpoint dates for June. This detail is limited to fulltime officers with assigned RCSO vehicles and all protective equipment. Participating Officers will be required to issue citations, make arrest, complete reports, and testify in court as needed. The sign-up sheet has been placed outside of the Patrol Lieutenants Office.

All briefings will take place in the Salisbury PD Training Room. Times are scheduled for 9:00 p.m. until 03:00 a.m. on the scheduled dates.”

Earlier this evening gunfire was reported in the City’s West End…

RFP Staff

♦ Benjamin Ross Hollifield, 26, of Buck Board Lane in Salisbury and a former youth pastor and outreach minister at Piedmont Baptist Church in Kannapolis, was convicted of sex crimes with a 13-year-old girl this week in Rowan County Superior Court presided over by Judge Joseph N. Crosswhite. Hollifield was convicted of 7 counts of statutory rape/sex offense (felony), 4 counts of indecent liberties with a minor (felony), and first degree sex exploitation of a minor (felony).

Judge Crosswhite sentenced Hollifield to a minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 23 years. Hollifield was ordered by the court to register as a sex offender.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office began investigating Hollifield in mid-April 2015. When questioned by Sheriff’s Office detectives Hollifield admitted he began texting a 13-year-old girl at his church. Hollifield knew it was inappropriate and that the Holy Spirit told him to stop. However, he and the teen discussed kissing.

Hollifield acknowledged that while working at the church in January 2015, he and the 13-year-old kissed and continued to text each other. Before long their activities led to sexual intercourse.

Hollifield told detectives the first time he had sex with the teen was after choir practice at church. He also acknowledged having pornographic photos on his phone and told detectives he understood the girl was only 13 which was wrong.

It is not uncommon to find those who sexually prey on children finding employment with youth in schools, churches, youth choirs, after school venues, playgrounds, libraries, and children’s clothing shops. To learn more about sex offenders read:

N.C. REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER PROGRAM GUIDEBOOK

A previous Rowan Free Press Article concerning Benjamin Ross Hollifield and his being charged with sex crimes:

Benjamin Ross Hollifield, a Kannapolis Church Youth Pastor from Salisbury, N.C., Charged with Sex Crimes

RFP Staff

♦ The Rowan County Manager has submitted the proposed budget for fiscal year 2016-17 to the Rowan County Board of Commissioners.

The Board of Commissioners will meet in regular session beginning at 3:00 p.m. on June 6, 2016 and will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. to receive public comment on the proposed budget. The length of comment for each speaker will be limited to 3 minutes to address the Board. Comments shall be restricted to the subject of the hearing as advertised and all speakers should address the Board in a civil and courteous manner.

The meeting and public hearing will take place in the J. Newton Cohen, Sr. Room on the second floor of the J. Newton Cohen, Sr. Rowan County Administration Building, located at 130 W. Innes Street, Salisbury, NC.

The PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE 2016-2017 OPERATING YEAR is available for inspection in the Office of the Clerk to the Board of Commissioners, located on the second floor of the J. Newton Cohen, Sr. Rowan County Administration Building at 130 West Innes Street, Salisbury, NC.

**Please note the County Commissioners will meet for a budget work session at noon on June 6th to discuss the proposed budget for fiscal year 2016-17.  The work session is open to the public and will be in the J. Newton Cohen, Sr. Room on the second floor of the J. Newton Cohen, Sr. Rowan County Administration Building, located at 130 W. Innes Street, Salisbury, NC

ROWAN COUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA

June 6, 2016 – 3:00 PM

Call to Order
Invocation
• Provided By: Chaplain Michael Taylor
Pledge of Allegiance
Consider Additions to the Agenda
Consider Deletions From the Agenda
Consider Approval of the Agenda
Board members are asked to voluntarily inform the Board if any matter on the agenda
might present a conflict of interest or might require the member to be excused from
voting.
• Consider Approval of the Minutes: May 16, 2016
1 Consider Approval of Consent Agenda
A. MOA with Cabarrus County for Use of Backup 911 Center
B. Set Quasi-judicial Hearing for PCUR 01-16 for June 20, 2016
C. Set Public Hearing for Z 05-16 for June 20, 2016
D. Approval to Grant $5,000 For Rowan Little League Request
E. Set Public Hearing for Z 06-16 for June 20, 2016
F. Approval of Contract for Flooring Renovations at the Rowan County Animal
Shelter
G. Approval of Contract for Website Redesign
H. Multi-Family Housing Revenue Bonds Financing By the Rowan County
Housing Authority
I. USDA Lease Amendment 3
2 Public Comment Period
3 Public Hearing for Chapter 2 Administration, Article II Personnel, Sections 2-62 and 2-
120 of the Rowan County Code of Ordinances
4 PE 01-16: David Velazquez
5 Consider Approval of PE 02-16
6 Exploration of Rural Broadband Service Provision
7 Consider Offer to Purchase Lot #9 in Speedway Business Park
8 Request Approval of Authorizing Resolution – Application for Grant Funding for Aldo
Products Project
9 Discussion Regarding July Meeting Schedule
10 Budget Amendments
11 Consider Approval of Board Appointments
12 Public Hearing for FY 2016-17 Proposed Budget
13 Adjournment

For additional information about agenda items:

http://agenda.rowancountync.gov/DisplayAgendaPDF.ashx?MeetingID=182

Citizens with disabilities requiring special needs to access the services or public meetings
of Rowan County Government should contact the County Manager’s Office three days prior
to the meeting by calling (704) 216-8180.