Tag: beaufort county
Fourth suspect in 2024 death by distribution case apprehended, held without bond
Read the original article on the WCTI12 website.
A fourth suspect has been arrested in connection with a death by distribution case that occurred in June of 2024, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
Beaufort County Sheriffโs Office deputies responded to Hodges Rd. in Chocowinity, in reference to a female who was unresponsive on June 23, 2024. The victim was identified as Jacquelin Halley Hodges, and deputies started giving aid until EMS arrived on the scene. Jacquelin passed away after arriving at ECU Beaufort Hospital, BCSO says.
A preliminary investigation was conducted that evening by deputies, and a thorough follow-up investigation was conducted by Detectives. BCSO Detectives presented the case to the Beaufort County Grand Jury, following the conclusion of the investigation, and indictments were issued to four individuals in April of 2025 in relation to Hodge’s death.
Justin Whitmer, 39, of Newport News, VA, was arrested on Dec. 16, Newport, and was transferred to the Beaufort County Detention Center on Dec. 22, 2025, and received no bond. Whitmer was the fourth arrest as a result of a 2024 Death by Distribution case.
He faces the following charges:
- Felony Death by Distribution
- Second Degree Murder (felony)
Brandy Kinion, 42, of Chocowinity, was arrested on April 21 and was taken to the Beaufort County Detention Center, where she received a $250,000 secured bond for the following charges:
- Involuntary Manslaughter (felony)
- Accessory after the Fact (felony)
Eric Wiggins, 42, of Chocowinity, was confined on unrelated charges and was served in the Beaufort County Detention Center on April 21. Wiggins received an additonal $250,000 secured bond for the following charges:
- Involuntary Manslaughter (felony)
Layla Hoffman, 32, of Chocowinity, was arrested at the LAX International Airport in California on May 13, after deputies coordinated with federal law enforcement to arrest her when she returned to the United States, BCSO says. Deputies flew took custody of Hoffman on June 11. Deputies transported Hoffman back to Beaufort County, where she was taken to the Beaufort County Detention Center on a $1,000,000 bond for the following charges:
- Felony Death by Distribution
- Second Degree Murder (felony)
Deputies with sheriffโs office now serving as School Resource Officers in Beaufort County
Read the original article on the WNCT 9 On Your Side website.
BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) โ Students in Beaufort County Schools were welcomed back this week with help from the sheriffโs office.
Deputies served as School Resource Officers throughout schools in the district. Theyโre replacing a third party police force used for the past three years.
There are 13 deputies, meaning each school in the district gets one. On the first day of school, SROs were seen greeting students at car rider lines, giving them high fives and tying their shoes in the hallways.
Having the local sheriffโs office provide school security has been a work in progress since winter.
โTo be honest, thereโs nothing better than your local sheriffโs department being able to provide school resource officers into our schools each and every day,โ Beaufort County Schools Superintendent Dr. Matthew Cheeseman said. โAnd through that, youโll see them out at our athletic contests, extracurricular activities and so letโs celebrate them as they celebrate and protect our students and staff. Perfect.โ
In order to become a SRO, a 40-hour SRO certification programs has to be completed. During that training, school security is practiced in addition to courses on ethics and leadership.
Each SRO is a sworn police officer and is armed. Theyโll be making sure buildings are secure, alarm systems are working, doors are not propped and students and staff feel safe.