Joint Operation Results in 54 Arrests in Nash and Edgecombe Counties

Officers focus on compliance of high-risk offenders on probation and parole

Rocky Mount, NC - A two-day initiative named Operation Big Show focusing on the compliance of high-risk offenders on probation and parole supervision resulted in the arrest of 54 individuals and the service of more than 100 warrants.

Beginning in the pre-dawn hours on Tuesday June 7, more than 160 law enforcement officers in Nash and Edgecombe counties hit the streets in search of absconders from probation supervision, individuals wanted on outstanding warrants and to conduct compliance searches on high-risk and gang involved probationers.

Officers visited 170 residences and conducted 90 searches of high-risk offenders that resulted in 30 new probation violation charges and the arrest of 18 probation absconders. Officers also served warrants for various violent crimes including assault with deadly weapon, robbery and drug offenses.

Officers and investigators from the United States Marshals Service; North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Community Corrections; North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Special Operations & Intelligence Unit; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Rocky Mount Police Department; Nash County Sheriff’s Department,; Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Department; North Carolina State Highway Patrol; United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina and the District Attorney’s Office for District 7 combined their extensive resources in this enforcement operation.

During the operation, officers and ATF Special Agents confiscated five handguns, one assault rifle, and one shotgun- including three stolen weapons. Agents also recovered ammunition and magazines from multiple felons. ATF agents are investigating all gun related crimes for possible federal prosecution.

The culmination of this operation does not mark the end of its success. Based on the intelligence gathered and partnerships formulated during this initiative, additional arrests are likely.

Some of the significant arrests made during this operation include:

    Travis T. Moore – Common Law Robbery. Moore was one of the Rocky Mount Police Department’s Top Ten Most Wanted

    Jakavius Whaley – Possession of stolen handgun, five counts of stolen property, possession of firearm by a felon, felony probation violation

    Arrington Everette – Assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill (2 counts) for assault on a mother and her baby

    Rakeem Flowers – probation violation, possession of double-barrel shotgun stolen from local sporting goods store

“U.S. Marshals and our local and state law enforcement partners continually work to ensure that violent and repeat offenders on probation and parole supervision are compliant and held accountable for their actions,” said Scott J. Parker, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “This initiative demonstrated the partnership and dedication of the men and women of the U.S. Marshals and our law enforcement partners throughout Eastern North Carolina. I want to thank all of the law enforcement officers from the participating agencies for their relentless pursuit of justice here in North Carolina.”

“This week, officers from many agencies helped remove guns and drugs from our streets and put many violent and repeat offenders behind bars so they may be held accountable for their actions,” said Secretary Frank L. Perry of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. “We are grateful for the collaboration of our local and federal law enforcement colleagues in promoting safer communities in Nash and Edgecombe counties and potentially beyond.”

“This operation was the largest contingency of law enforcement boots on the ground in the history of Rocky Mount,” said Rocky Mount Police Chief James Moore. “These operations send a clear message to anyone who contributes to violence and drug dealing in Rocky Mount: you will be subject to the full weight of the local, federal and state law enforcement agencies. Put simply, violence this summer will not be tolerated."

“This operation proved to be a great success and we have removed many violent offenders from the streets,” said Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone. “When we work together we are guaranteed success and we are proud to be a part of this operation. Thank you to our state and federal partners for organizing an excellent operation.”

“I am very grateful that all these agencies were able to come together to search and arrest high-risk offenders in Nash and Edgecombe counties,” said Edgecombe County Sheriff James Knight. “This operation has undoubtedly benefitted the law abiding citizens of the Twin Counties.”

This operation is the largest of its kind to be conducted in this area, and follows the successful conclusion of other such operations sponsored by the U.S. Marshals in the Eastern District of North Carolina. The Marshals have developed a system of partnering with state and local agencies in an effort to ensure that those violent offenders that attempt to evade the judicial system are brought back to face prosecution for their crimes.