Public Safety

Closing statements are underway today (June 12) in the first degree murder trial of Brandon Wayne Mincey. Mincey, 44, is accused of killing Alissa Lee and disposing of her body off Heartbeat Bridge in April 2023. Lee’s body was dropped in the river sometime between April 5 and April 14 before being discover April 25, according to warrants and the sheriff’s office. Mincey was originally charged as an...

Detectives are searching for an 18-year-old suspect in a shooting Thursday night on Berry Lane near Whiteville. Eric Martin Jr. has been identified as the suspect in the killing of Raphael Gowans, according to the sheriff’s office. He is a black male with a medium complexion and short dreadlocks. Martin  is considered armed and dangerous. Deputies were called to 95 Berry Lane, near National Spinning, just after 8...

UPDATED June 12 at noon. Multiple victims helped put an alleged child molester behind bars Thursday. Jeromy Lee Blanton, 44, of Loris, is being held under no bond. He faces seven counts of statutory rape of a victim under 15; eight of crime against nature; seven charges of incest; nine charges of statutory sex offense against a child; four counts of sexual activity by a custodian or substitute...