Lenoir County Superior Court Judge Imelda J. Pate signed a consent judgment resulting from a Chapter 19 Nuisance Abatement action regarding the property at 445 and 453 Pear Street in Kinston, in the Jackson Heights community. The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, working with the property owners and the community, have reached a successful resolution to ensure actions at these properties do not negatively impact the community.

Search warrants, felony arrests and criminal charges have previously been made at these properties by the LCSO. The LCSO requested the assistance of the Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) in reference to these properties. Chapter 19 of the N.C. General Statutes defines “nuisance” activities and provides for a civil remedy to abate such criminal acts and their detrimental impacts on the community.

This investigation began with a collaborative decision between Lenoir County Sheriff Jackie Rogers and county officials.

“For years, this location has served as a hotspot for criminal activity, constantly draining law enforcement resources, negatively impacting the community and fostering criminal behavior,” Rogers said. “We are thankful the heirs of these properties were willing to work with law enforcement to ensure these properties are cleaned up and the criminal activity is abated. This community has lived in fear for far too long.”

These properties qualified for forfeiture to the Lenoir County School Board based upon Chapter 19. All parties agreed to a consent judgment allowing the properties to be cleaned up and sold within 90 days. This consent judgment also placed perpetual restrictions on the property forbidding future nuisance-related activities, restricting use for rentals and banning the current occupants indefinitely.

All current occupants and tenants must vacate the property by Jan. 16. Additionally, all trespassers who go on the properties will be arrested and criminally charged.

“I would like to thank the residents of this community and the ALE Nuisance Abatement Team for their work and partnership to help address these properties and the strain they have created on Lenoir County,” Rogers said.

Scottie Shoaf, the special agent in charge of the Nuisance Abatement Team, said the nuisance abatement law provides a solution for problem locations that strain law enforcement resources.

“They reduce the quality of life for others, too,” Shoaf said. “Successful investigations are only reached with law enforcement partnerships and community involvement. This consent judgment should bring about positive changes for this community.”

Lenoir County Commissioner J. Mac Daughety and the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners were integral in today’s judgment. Daughety and members of the Jackson Heights Community Watch brought the attention to the LCSO to the actions taking place at the location. The county commissioners authorized $20,000 in civil funds to facilitate today’s action.

“This event today was critically important to the Jackson Heights community,” Daughety said. “We’ve had issues here for years and it’s created a nuisance for all the neighbors. This was great work by the sheriff’s office, ALE and Community Watch; it’s resulted in making this a safer community.

“This will help restore order and peace in the Jackson Heights community. This wouldn’t have happened without the Lenoir County commissioners and Sheriff Jackie Rogers.”

From left, Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Joe Villagra, LCSO Lt. Therman Stroud, Lenoir County Commissioner J. Mac Daughety, Jackson Heights Community Watch’s Josh Haynes, N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement Special Agent Justin Morgan, Lenoir County Sheriff Jackie Rogers, LCSO Capt. Christy Smith and LCSO Chief Deputy Chris Owens.

From left, Lenoir County Commissioner J. Mac Daughety, N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement Special Agent Justin Morgan and Lenoir County Sheriff Jackie Rogers.