On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit (SVU) Investigators re-opened a cold case sex offender violation investigation after receiving new information. The case involved registered sex offender Taron Nathaniel Allison, an absconder from the NC Sex Offender Registry since 2019. Mr. Allison also had warrants for felony failure to report new address and felony failure to register sex offender from 2020.

New information received indicated that Mr. Allison had a current and active online identifier which was not registered with the ACSO as pursuant to the NC Sex Offender Registry.

Acting on this new information, Investigators charged Mr. Allison with Felony Failure to Register Sex Offender.

On Friday, December 1, 2023, Mr. Allison was arrested and taken into custody in Baltimore, Md. Mr. Allison was extradited to Alamance County on Thursday, December 7, 2023 and remains in the Detention Center.

Name:     Taron Nathaniel Allison     B/M/65   2112 Pulaski St., Baltimore, Md.

Charges:  1ct: Felony Failure To Register Sex Offender, 1ct: Felony Sex Offender Residence Violation

Bond:       $50,000 secure

Taron Nathaniel Allison

On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, ACSO Investigators followed up on a tip from the community about the Carolina Mill Fire. The vacant mill in the Carolina community, 2058 Carolina Mill Rd., Burlington, N.C., was reported to be on fire at 4:03 a.m., Saturday, November 25, 2023.

During the investigation, three individuals were identified as suspects. Investigators interviewed each of the suspects and determined they were responsible for the fire.

The suspects were identified as James Riley Cockman, Leyton James Lockemy, and William Steven Holland.

Mr. Cockman was arrested on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 11:00 p.m. and remains in jail. Mr. Lockemy as arrested on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 7:05 p.m. and released on bond. Mr. Holland was arrested on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 6:09 a.m. and remains in jail.

Name:             James Riley Cockman W/M/21       Gibsonville, N.C.

Charges:         1ct: Felony Breaking and Entering, 1ct: Felony Burning Certain Buildings

Bond:              $60,000 secured

Name:             Leyton James Lockemy W/M/20     Burlington, N.C.

Charges:         1ct: Felony Breaking and Entering, 1ct: Felony Burning Certain Buildings

Bond:              $25,000 secured

Name:             William Steven Holland W/M/20    Gibsonville, N.C.

Charges:         1ct: Felony Breaking and Entering, 1ct: Felony Burning Certain Buildings

Bond:              $25,000 secured

Each suspect has a 1^st appearance in District Court on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

We have determined that the Carolina Mill Fire and the Culp Weaving fire are unrelated.

Sheriff Johnson would like to thank our Media partners for their assistance in seeking help from the public regarding this case.

This case remains under investigation. If anyone has information about this case, call the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office at: 336-570-6300 or: Alamance County Crimestoppers at: 336-229-7100 or: www.p3tips.com

The ACSO would like to thank the Alamance County Fire Marshal’s Office, Faucette Fire Department, the Alamance County Fire Investigation Task Force, the ACSO Electronic Forensic Investigation Team (EFIT), the ATF, the NCSBI, and the NC Office of the State Fire Marshal for assistance with this case.

On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office Street Crimes Unit assisted the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency with the arrest of a wanted Graham man with outstanding felony warrants.

During the operation, the suspect attempted to flee in a motor vehicle which collided with two DEA vehicles injuring three DEA agents.

Sheriff’s Office Investigators took the suspect, Jeremy Trevon Townsend, into custody without further incident.

Sheriff’s Office Investigators executed a search warrant at Mr. Townsend’s residence. During the search, marijuana, suspected fentanyl, and paraphernalia were located. A concealed stolen firearm was found in Mr. Townsend’s vehicle.

Mr. Townsend was arrested and transported to Alamance County Detention Center.

Name: Jeremy Trevon Townsend      B/M/29            2613 Shallowford Ct., Graham, N.C.

Charges:         1ct: Felony Assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, 1ct: Felony Assault inflicting serious injury on Law Enforcement, 1ct: Felony Possession of a stolen firearm,

1ct: Misdemeanor Possession with intent to manufacture, sell, distribute Marijuana,

1ct: Felony possession of schedule II-controlled substance

1ct: Misdemeanor Carry a Concealed Weapon, 1ct: Misdemeanor Possession of marijuana paraphernalia, 2cts: Misdemeanor Possession of drug paraphernalia

Bond:             $350,000 secured

If anyone has any information concerning the distribution of controlled substances within Alamance County, please contact the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office at 336-570-6300 and request to speak with a narcotics investigator.

On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, Investigators with the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office Street Crimes Unit and the Special Victims Unit began an investigation from a cyber tip. Information from the cyber tip alleged that an individual uploaded child sexual abuse material (CSAM) files to the internet. The investigation lead investigators to a suspect living in Mebane, N.C.

On Friday, September 8, 2022, Investigators conducted a search warrant at the suspect’s residence. The suspect was identified as Omarius Rhashaa Credle.

During the search of the residence, electronic devices were seized and submitted for forensic examination. On completion of the forensic examination, Investigators found probable cause to charge Mr. Credle with one count of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, a Class E felony.

On Sunday, November 19, 2023, Mr. Credle was arrested and transported to the Alamance County Detention Center.

Name:             Omarius Rhashaa Credle        B/M/28            Mebane, N.C.

Charge:          1ct: Felony 2^nd Degree Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor

Bond:              $20,000 Secured

On Monday, October 16, 2023, the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit (SVU) began an investigation after receiving a report of an alleged sexual assault of a minor.

During the investigation, the victim identified Erick Maldonado Cardenas as the suspect.

On Thursday, November 16, 2023, Mr. Cardenas was charged and taken into custody.

 Name:            Erik Maldonado Cardenas     W/M/25          1007 Maple Ridge Ct., Burlington, N.C.

Charges:        1 ct: Felony Statutory Sex Offense with Child by an Adult, 1ct: Felony Indecent Liberties with a Child, 1ct: Felony Statutory Rape of a Child by an Adult

Bond:             $250,000 secured (remains in custody)

The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association hosted sheriffs, sheriffs’ personnel and their families from across the state for the 2023 Fall Meeting in Western North Carolina from November 2^nd through November 6^th.  Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson was in attendance. Commenting on his experience attending the meeting, Sheriff Johnson said, “I am always grateful for the opportunity to attend a meeting hosted by the Association. It is important for sheriffs across the state to continue to collaborate and to learn from each other so that we can continue to improve the Office of Sheriff.”

This annual meeting is an opportunity for sheriffs and sheriffs’ personnel to gather and network, participate in panel discussions and receive useful training classes that expand their knowledge regarding current policy and practice in law enforcement. The meeting also allows them to discuss issues among themselves and with other criminal justice professionals.

Training classes and discussion topics covered at this year’s Fall Meeting included evidence management, legal issues regarding mass gatherings and protests, managing civil unrest and legislative updates, among others.

North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association President and Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell commented on his experience at this fall event, saying “Our Fall Meeting is another excellent opportunity for sheriffs and our personnel to gather for a week of networking and learning. The sheriffs who attend look forward to the training classes offered at this event and enjoy the panel discussions. These panel discussions are a unique opportunity to learn from each other. We hear from other sheriffs across the state about experiences they have had in their community regarding specific topics. I always look forward to attending Association events to see fellow sheriffs and Association staff.”

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The mission of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, Inc. is to serve as the statewide voice to protect, promote, preserve, and enhance the Office of Sheriff in North Carolina through education, training, and legislative initiatives that increase public safety and protect the rights of the citizens of North Carolina.

– Proudly serving the sheriffs and citizens of North Carolina since 1922 –

On Friday, November 3, 2023 at approximately 2:40 p.m., an ACSO Deputy traveling north on Swepsonville-Saxapahaw Rd. observed a vehicle traveling south in the northbound lane. The Deputy attempted a traffic stop for driving left of center.

The vehicle failed to stop and fled at a high rate of speed. A pursuit was initiated with the vehicle eventually stopping on Salem Church Rd.

The driver, identified as William Coletrane, was believed to be intoxicated and found to have an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. Mr. Coletrane was arrested and transported to the Alamance County detention Center.

Name:             William Coletrane      B/M/38           4407 Mineral Springs Rd., Graham, N.C.

Charges:        1ct: Felony Flee to Elude Arrest, 1ct: Misdemeanor Driving While Impaired, 1ct:  Reckless Driving to Endanger, 1ct: Open Container, Driving Left of Center, Fail stop at Stop sign/Flashing Red Light

Bond:              $15,000 secured

On Saturday, November 4, 2023 at approximately 1:50 p.m., Deputies responded to a report of shots fired in the 6400 block of Thom Rd. in southeastern Alamance County. Deputies located a vehicle believed to be involved in the incident near the 6000 block of Jordan Dr., Saxapahaw, N.C. 

Deputies detained two females who were in the vehicle. One of the females, later identified as Nickie Nicole Brewer, initially gave Deputies the name of her sister. Deputies also learned that Ms. Brewer was on probation and had two warrants for arrest (WFA) from Burlington PD for shoplifting and larceny which occurred on November 1, 2023. 

Ms. Brewer was arrested and transported to the Alamance County Jail. Once at ACJ, she was served with the two outstanding WFA and was also served with a Magistrate Order for Felony Identity Theft.

Name:             Nickie Nicole Brewer             W/F/36            719 E. Main St, Haw River, N.C

Charges:        1ct: Felony Identity Theft

Bond:              $10,000 secured

The Alamance County Sheriff’s Office Strike Team, with assistance from the Durham County Sheriff’s Office Strike Team and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Strike Team, will be conduct an operation in Alamance County during the month of November.

This operation is a collaborative partnership with these agencies, including the Burlington Police Department, to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in our communities, and develop solutions to address them. The Strike Teams follow the guidelines of the Project Safe Neighborhoods model under the direction of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

For more information about Project Safe Neighborhood, click this safe link: www.justice.gov/psn

As we continue to build on the past successes of these operations, we hope to include more law enforcement agencies in efforts to address violent offenders. Violent offenders and the crimes they commit affect quality of life for residents in these jurisdictions.

If you are aware of violent crimes and offenders that the Joint Strike Team can focus on, please contact us. We will make every attempt to address any issues provided. If you wish to provide information while remaining anonymous, call the Alamance County Crimestoppers at: 336-229-7100 or online at: www.p3tips.com  You may also call the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office at: 336-570-6300

The Alamance County Sheriff’s Office held a graduation ceremony Tuesday, October 24, 2023 to honor twenty-two (22) graduates of the Fall 2023 Citizen Academy. Graduates along with family and friends enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by The Lamb’s Chapel in Burlington. Each Graduate received a ‘Certificate of Completion’ along with an ACSO Challenge Coin.

The class met each Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. beginning September 5, 2023 through October 24, 2023.

The ACSO Citizen Academy is an extension of the agency’s Community Engagement Initiative. The goal of the Academy is to provide insight about the job functions and responsibilities of the Sheriff’s Office.

Topics covered include, Q&A with Sheriff Johnson, Special Response Team Demo, Taser Demonstration, Crime Scene Investigation (CSI), Firearms Simulator, Laws of Arrest, Search and Seizure, Ride Along with a Deputy and much more.

Citizen Academy is open to all Alamance County residents eighteen (18) and above. There are no costs to attend. Admission is on a first come basis after a satisfactory background check.

The next class convenes Tuesday, April 2^nd, 2024. To register, email: Sheriff.Academy@alamance-nc.com or pick up an application at the Sheriff’s Office, 109 S. Maple St., Graham, N.C., 27253