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Duplin man gets 11-14 for rape, other crimes

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Duplin man gets 11-14 for rape, other crimes

03 July 2008–By John Cate, staff writer
North Carolina Superior Court Judge Kenneth F. Crow wound down his six-month assignment in Duplin County last week by hearing another 49 defendant’s cases and sentencing nine defendants to prison terms ranging from a few months all the way up to more than 10 years.

Joshua Turner, 23, of 764 W. College St. in Warsaw received a sentence of between 133 and 169 months (11 years, one month up to 14 years, one month) after pleading guilty to a number of felonies, including statutory rape, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, felony larceny, felony possession of stolen goods and felony conspiracy and injury to real property.

Three other defendants received prison sentences of more than one year. Juan Mendez, 32, of 127 Magnolia Motor Home Park, Magnolia, entered a guilty plea to a charge of voluntary manslaughter and will serve between 46 and 65 months in the N.C. Department of Corrections.

Jonathan Reese, 31, of 1014 N. NC Highway 581 in Goldsboro pled guilty to felony death by motor vehicle and DWI. He will serve between 29 and 44 months in prison, and also received an additional 23 months in prison which will be suspended for six years of what District Attorney G. Dewey Hudson described as “rigorous” supervised probation. Freddie Houston, 44, of 157 S. Wiliams Rd. in Beulaville pled guilty to felony larceny and will serve 18 to 22 months in prison.

Gary Zibelin, 48, of 300 River Ridge Rd., Wallace pled guilty to second degree kidnapping, assault on a female, assault by pointing a gun, communicating threats and resisting a law enforcement officer. Zibelin received a six-month active sentence, followed by an additional 20 to 24 months plus 60 days, suspended on the condition that he follows the terms of two years of supervised probation.

Two defendants received prison sentences for drug dealing. Eric Sanchez, 36, of 355 Catherine’s Square Rd., Beulaville, received seven to nine months after pleading guilty to delivery of cocaine and possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine. Enoc Barraza, 24, of Albertson Mobile Home Park, Lot 21, entered a guilty plea to two counts of sale of marijuana and manufacture marijuana. He received a sentence of six to eight months for his activities. Barraza was already on probation for a felony possession conviction in Lenoir County in March 2007; that probation has since been revoked.

Morgan Logue, 24, of 1517 Converse Ave., Fayetteville, already incarcerated on previous larceny charges, received an additional eight to 10 months after pleading guilty to felony larceny, driving with a revoked license and reckless driving.

Abass Jallow, 22, of 5603 Forest Oak Dr., Raleigh, pled guilty to possession for sale of more than 100 counterfeit DVDs and will serve three to four months in the NCDOC for his trouble.

Judge Crow had been assigned to the superior court district for Duplin, Jones and Sampson counties for the January to June 2008 term. During his six months of service, he handled 672 criminal superior court cases. Hudson commended Crow for his service.

“The ability of my staff to successfully handle its cases depends in large part on the presiding judge’s work, and Judge Crow stands out among his peers in both categories.”

Faison Piggly Wiggly
swindled with bogus check

The Piggly Wiggly in Faison made a report of a fraudulent check being passed in mid-May, according to reports of the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office.

On the evening of Tuesday, May 13, an unknown suspect entered the grocery store and was able to pass what appeared to be a legitimate check for $426.15 there. The check, which was cashed by the store, was later discovered to have been written on a phony account. Deputy Donald Gregory of the DCSO made the report and the case was placed under investigation.

Thieves break into Faison
home, steal three guns

Another Duplin County sheriff’s report from Faison during that period concerned the theft of three guns during a break-in at 2044 W. N.C. Highway 403 in Faison. The victim, Kenneth R. Moore, reported that an unknown suspect had broken into his home sometime between 5:30 and 9 p.m. and stolen a .270 bolt action rifle valued at $700, a Remington 12-gauge shotgun valued at $300 and a Smith and Wesson .38 special valued at $200. In addition, approximately $20 in pocket change was taken and a door frame valued at $100 was damaged in the break-in. The case was placed under investigation.

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