Sheriff Jimmy Thornton

05/13/2026

Thank you to the members of Piney Grove Baptist Church WMU for taking the time to bring snacks to our law enforcement and detention staff. It was a thoughtful and humbling gesture during National Police Week.

We are truly blessed to have the support of caring churches, businesses, civic groups, and citizens throughout our community who continually take the time to recognize and encourage our staff. Your kindness and support mean more than you know.

05/12/2026

I continue to be proud of the strong state and federal partnerships we have and the hard work these men and women do each day to remove criminals from our communities and help keep our citizens safe.

https://www.clintonnc.com/news/breaking-news/112910/local-drug-bossgets-50-years?fbclid=IwVERDUARwZZ1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEewZd83MHkUcpscdji7lHCYXTW2yJhbX2rm6fAEGvr9Zz1HVl_KnTaYwThDNU_aem_gAH47m0KfvXS-nKlwXBtdA

RALEIGH – A convicted drug dealer from Sampson County will face 50 years in federal prison thanks to a sentence handed down in federal court Tuesday, removing, law enforcement officials say…

05/11/2026

During National Police Week, we honor the men and women of law enforcement who serve and protect our communities each day, and we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

We are grateful for the courage, dedication, and commitment shown by law enforcement officers here in Sampson County and across our nation. Please continue to keep law enforcement officers and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

04/13/2026

During this week, we proudly recognize National Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week and honor the dedicated men and women who serve as the voice behind the headset and telephone.

Our Telecommunicator’s are the initial first-responders—calm, steady, and professional in the most critical moments. They are the lifeline between our community and emergency services, providing reassurance to those in crisis while ensuring our deputies, officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel have the information they need to respond effectively.

Their work often goes unseen, but it is never unappreciated. Every call answered, every radio transmission, and every decision made has a direct impact on saving lives and keeping our community safe.

On behalf of the Sheriff’s Office, we extend our sincere gratitude to our Communications Center staff for their commitment, professionalism, and service to the citizens of our county.

Thank you for all that you do—today and every day.

This week, we celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, honoring the calm voices behind the chaos and the unseen heroes who answer the call when it matters most.

Here in Sampson County, we have dedicated 911 telecommunicators serving our community 24/7 with professionalism, compassion, and commitment. They provide critical support in all emergencies, dispatch responders, and offer reassurance in crises. Their work may go unseen, but its impact is felt daily across our county.

To our Sampson County 911 telecommunicators, thank you for your dedication to keeping our citizens and responders safe.

04/12/2026

UPDATE: 04/13/2026
LOCATED

On 4/13/2026, deputies responded to the area of Butler Island Road after receiving a report from a citizen who believed they had observed Frankie Faircloth near a wooded area behind a residence. Upon arrival, deputies began searching the area and subsequently located the subject behind a residence. Frankie Faircloth was immediately taken into custody without incident.

Faircloth is now being processed and served with outstanding warrants for:

F - FIRST DEGREE ARSON
F- ATTEMPTED MURDER
F - FIRST DEGREE BURGLARY
F - ASSAULT SERIOUS BODILY INJURY
M- MISD CRIME OF DOM VIOLENCE



Wanted for Attempted Murder:

Last night, at approximately 10:00 pm, 911 received a call regarding a structure fire and an injured female at a 719 N. Pine St. Roseboro, NC.

Deputies and firefighters arrived on scene and identified a female victim, Courtney Witschger, 36 of Roseboro, suffering from burns to approximately 2/3 of her body. The victim stated that a male, by the name of Franklin Faircloth had forced his way into her home and doused her in gasoline, then set her on fire. The suspect then fled the scene on a gray and red bicycle.

The victim was transported to an undisclosed trauma center to be treated for injuries sustained during the incident.

The scene was processed by the fire marshals office and the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office. After consulting the district attorney’s office, charges were obtained on Faircloth for:

F - FIRST DEGREE ARSON
F- ATTEMPTED MURDER
F - FIRST DEGREE BURGLARY
F - ASSAULT SERIOUS BODILY INJURY
M- MISD CRIME OF DOM VIOLENCE

At this time, the suspect Franklin “Frankie” Paul Faircloth, 29 years old, white male has NOT been located. Frankie is believed to be homeless and possibly still in the Roseboro area.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding Frankie’s whereabouts are encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office at 910-592-4141.

04/08/2026

On April 6, Sign and Awning Systems, Inc. of Dunn generously took the time to provide a meal for members of the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, Clinton Police Department, Clinton Fire Department, and other first responders.

This act of kindness was done in appreciation for the service these men and women provide to the citizens of Sampson County each and every day.

We are truly grateful for this thoughtful gesture and for the continued support from such a great business and its owners, Jason Honeycutt and Brandon Johnson. Partnerships like this are what make our community strong.

God bless this business and all of our first responders.

04/04/2026

I would like to take a moment to congratulate Captain Williams on successfully completing the Jail Administrator Institute of Leadership course this week in Chapel Hill.

This is a significant accomplishment that reflects his dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence in serving our county. Leadership development like this is critical to the continued success of our agency, and I am proud to see Captain Williams investing in both his personal growth and the future of our office.

It was an honor to attend the graduation and show support alongside his family. Achievements like this do not happen without strong support at home, and we are grateful for that as well.

Thank you to the instructors and staff who made this program possible and continue to support law enforcement across North Carolina.

Please join me in congratulating Captain Williams on a job well done!

04/01/2026

Today, the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team assisted the Clinton Police Department in the ex*****on of a search warrant at Eastover Terrace related to a shooting that occurred in that area yesterday afternoon that left three victims seriously injured.

As a result of a coordinated and proactive law enforcement effort, two individuals were taken into custody.

Let this serve as a clear message: when violent crime occurs in our communities, law enforcement agencies will work together swiftly and decisively to identify those responsible and take them into custody.

The partnership between the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office and the Clinton Police Department remains strong, and together we will continue to protect our citizens and remove dangerous individuals from our communities.

https://www.clintonnc.com/news/breaking-news/112555/wallace-man-charged-in-eastover-terrace-shootings

🚨 MEDIA RELEASE — ARREST MADE 🚨

The Clinton Police Department has arrested Ricardo Ramsey of Wallace, NC, in connection with the March 30, 2026 shooting on Eastover Terrace.

Ramsey was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held at the Sampson County Detention Center under no bond.

We appreciate the assistance of the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office SERT Team, Sheriff Jimmy Thornton, and District Attorney Ernie Lee during this investigation.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Clinton Police Department at 910-592-3105, or submit an anonymous tip by texting 847411 and beginning the message with tipcpd.

04/01/2026

03/31/2026

Speed a little. Lose a lot.

From March 30 to April 5, the Governors Highway Safety Program and the North Carolina Highway Patrol are teaming up with local law enforcement agencies, including the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, to conduct increased patrols focusing on driving over the speed limit and our violations of motor vehicle law.

The Sampson County Sheriff’s Office reminds you to save time, slow down, and arrive alive.