Crystal R. Lineberry, Rowan County
♦This will be the first year that I vote in a local election. I have to admit that, at first, when Brian Kiever filed to run for Sheriff of Rowan County I was going to vote for him out of pure disgust for our current administration. However, as I have read, listened and learned about Kiever, I am finding that my vote is becoming one that will be cast out of admiration and respect for Kiever.
I know that he isn’t from around here, as several people have asked if someone who isn’t a “homegrown citizen” can care as deeply for the community as someone who spent their life here. Anyone familiar with the recent history of our Sheriff’s office can surely come to the conclusion that ‘where someone is from’ has no bearing on how they will perform as a Sheriff.
As I have chosen to support Kiever, I have found myself in the position of hearing many stories from people all over this county of how they were treated unfairly by officers or employees that work within the halls of the Justice Center. Yesterday, I was asked about my story, and the truth is that my own personal story isn’t nearly as tragic as the ones that I am strongly familiar with.
I was charged in 1996, I believe, it may have been 1997. As a single mom of two young sons and while working at WA Brown, I purchased a property on Lower Palmer Road. It was nothing to look at, as it had sat empty for 6 years. The roof had leaked, causing the floor to rot. The electrical system was outdated and the well didn’t work, but to me it was home. I was asked by Donnie Brown to sell the property to him, so that he may continue to use my driveway as access for a property that he owned behind me. Upon repeatedly refusing, stating that it was not for sale, I found myself in a power struggle that I lost. I was arrested and charged with several things. I remember clearly that two of the things were Assault with a 9mm and Communicating Threats. Donnie’s prediction that I would sell my home came true. So, I lost my home, but that is nothing compared to the other stories.
My Dad, Sonny Lineberry, was a mechanic before he retired and I spent a lot of time at RC’s Garage as a child. I became friends with his oldest son, Ralph Eugene Christie Jr. As life parted our ways, I was shocked to read in the Salisbury Post that Jr. had become a victim of the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. Jr. was a survivalist before it was considered acceptable. The RCSO raped his home using a warrant. The Salisbury Post, with information they gained from the officers involved, portrayed Jr. as a threat to society. An outside investigation found that the items Jr. had were things that could be bought at an Army Navy Store. However, when everything was said and done, Jr. was sentenced, told to go home and then report to serve his four-year sentence in federal prison. That’s right; he was told to go home first. So, if Jr. was such a danger to citizens, why did the judge allow him to go home first?
As the family was trying to make some sort of sense out of what had happened to Jr., the first thing that they wanted to do was retrieve the items that were wrongfully taken from their family. I personally saw the evidence list and among other items, I found that the jewelry taken was the most outrageous abuse of authority. With the approval of RC and Jr.’s younger brother, Mike, I relentlessly tried to get to the bottom of what had happened to their belongings.
Upon my Dad’s advice, I purchased a voice activated recorder and carried it religiously to protect myself. There were no metal detectors in place to prevent me from entering the Sheriff’s Department with it safely tucked away. I did get to the bottom of the situation and I found myself in the hallway by the secretary’s window for 9 days attempting to get a meeting with Wilhelm. RC knew of my predicament and suggested that if I were exhausted, he would find no wrong if I chose to give up. “With all due respect, RC”, I told him, “I am doing this for Jr.”
At the time, a quiet, very polite man was in charge of handling the evidence taken into custody. He was very cooperative and sympathetic to my predicament. He offered me all of the paperwork I asked for except for one. I wanted to see a signed Judge’s Order that stated whether the evidence was to be returned to the family, destroyed or auctioned. All that he could offer me was a form that is signed by whomever checks in or out the items stored in his care. Chad Moose was the last signature on the release form, signing out the items belonging to the Christie family.
As I waited, for the 10th day, patiently in the hallway to get the meeting with Wilhelm, Chad Moose came through the side door and confronted me. He approached me until his face was inches from my own and stated that he didn’t care who I was or what I wanted and that it would be best if I left. I began to smile at Chad. First, because I went to school with him and was not afraid of his bully tactics, and second, because I knew that he had just given me the key to Wilhelm. My smile angered him and he suggested that I wipe the look off of my face, before he did it for me. When he walked away, I informed the secretary that I would speak with Wilhelm or a reputable news source. She called my home before I got there and my appointment was for the next morning.
Mike Christie went with me. We were shown to a room with a large wide table and seated in the presence of Wilhelm, Moose, Tim Bost and a uniformed officer. I played the recording as Moose stared at the table between his arms. Mike Christie shook with tears and anger as he told them that they are the reason his brother is dead. I demanded that they contact RC and explain what had happened to his son’s possessions.
A few days later, RC received the letter. It ended by offering restitution to the family. Mike was elated and wanted his Dad to “get them”, but RC stood solemn, folded the letter and placed in on the table stating, “It’s done. Now they know that I know that they are the reason my son is dead.”
I would have walked through fire to support the Christie family…and I believe that is part of the reason RC said that it is done. During the whole ordeal, he had often told me to be careful. I was never scared of any of them and I am not scared now. Had the Salisbury Post been a reputable newspaper, I would have went to them with the story, but in this county, the ones who have control like to keep control. I remember reading the twisted versions of their reports and being sickened by them and their words, but there was a quote printed from Jr. that I know he said.
“I’m not a criminal, I’m not a crook, I’m not a terrorist,” he said. “I’m on your side.”
I know that Wilhelm is gone now, but Chad Moose is still there. I believe he has even been promoted since those days. So, I’m not just voting for Kiever. I am voting against Chad Moose and any other officer there who thinks that he and he alone is capable of controlling what is supposed to be our Justice Center.
WCCB Story on Brian Kiever:
