Bugged courtroom
causes disruption
LUMBERTON — Some unlikely visitors to the Robeson County Courthouse disrupted proceedings Tuesday morning and caused a judge, bailiffs, attorneys and defendants to be moved to another courtroom.
A wheelchair bound man appearing in Courtroom 3C was infested with bed bugs and lice, said Angelica Chavis McIntyre, county assistant district attorney.
Screams could be heard shortly after the bugs were spotted. The courtroom was cleared out and fumigated.
Court proceedings, which normally start at 9 a.m., were delayed for one hour because of the evacuation.
***
Teen charged with
sexual misconduct
CLINTON — A Harrells teenager has been charged with two felonies following a report of sexual misconduct reported to the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office.
Steven Koons, 18, was been charged with two counts of indecent liberties with a child, a felony offense. He was placed in the Sampson County Detention Center under $30,000 secured bond.
Koons was taken into custody “following an investigation into reported sexual misconduct by a non-family member,” said Sheriff’s Lt. Marcus Smith, who said the female was under the age of 16.
***
City council starts
ouster of Williams
The Fayetteville City Council voted unanimously 9-0 Monday night to go forward with the amotion process to remove councilman Tyrone Williams from office.
But later the five-member Ethics Commission decided to delay its investigation of Williams’ after the councilman withdrew his prior recusal from voting on downtown development projects.
A letter to the council from Kris Poppe, who is Williams’ lawyer, said that Williams never had a financial interest in Prince Charles Holdings.
The entire process started because of a recording that caught Williams saying he could clear up a minor legal issue for $15,000.
***
School fight is
stopped quickly
WHITEVILLE — A school resource officer stopped a fight between two students Monday at Whiteville High School during a lunch period.
Video of the fight was posted to social media, and shows the resource officer stepping between the fighting students within seconds.
Major Alan May of the Whiteville Police said other officers were called to the scene to prevent the fight from escalating and prevent further problems.
From staff and wire reports.