Kinston Police Department

Kinston Police Department City of Kinston Police Department
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Employees of the City of Kinston communicate via these social media websites. Consequently, any communication via these sites (whether by City employee or the general public) may be subject to monitoring and disclosure to third parties. Relevant City of Kinston and NC Public



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𝗞𝗣𝗗 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁On June 1, 2026, at approximately 9:04 p.m., officers with KPD's C...
06/02/2026

𝗞𝗣𝗗 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁

On June 1, 2026, at approximately 9:04 p.m., officers with KPD's C-Squad responded to a residence in the 400 block of Lewis Lane to assist the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction with a probation search.

During the search, officers located methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the possession of 60-year-old Gregory Tucker.

As a result of the investigation, Tucker was taken into custody and charged with the following:

• Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Methamphetamine
• Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substances
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Tucker was transported to the Lenoir County Jail, where he is being held without bond.

𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗶𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗹, 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗵On May 31, 2026, at approximately...
06/02/2026

𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗶𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗹, 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗵

On May 31, 2026, at approximately 7:27 p.m., officers assigned to KPD's B-Squad conducted a traffic stop on West New Bern Road near Vernon Avenue.

During the stop, officers made contact with the driver, 34-year-old Joseph Soto of Lenoir County. K9 Loki conducted an open-air sniff of the vehicle and provided a positive alert for the presence of narcotics.

A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 46 grams of fentanyl, ma*****na, oxycodone, methamphetamine, and more than $6,500 in U.S. currency.

As a result of the investigation, Soto and a passenger, 45-year-old Dennis Sutton of Lenoir County, were taken into custody without incident.

Soto was charged with:

• Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Ma*****na
• Felony Conspiracy
• Possession of Methamphetamine
• Maintaining a Vehicle for Controlled Substances
• Identity Theft
• Obstructing Justice
• Manufacture of Ma*****na
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Driving While License Revoked
• Expired Registration

Sutton was charged with:

• Trafficking Fentanyl (3 Counts)
• Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Fentanyl
• Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
• Possession of Methamphetamine
• Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Ma*****na
• Felony Conspiracy
• Maintaining a Vehicle for Controlled Substances
• Manufacture of Ma*****na
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Littering
• Failure to Wear Seatbelt

Both individuals are currently being held in the LC Jail under a secured bond.

June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month.Mental health is just as important as physical health.Too often, men are tol...
06/01/2026

June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month.

Mental health is just as important as physical health.

Too often, men are told to “tough it out” or keep things to themselves. The reality is that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength.

Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, loss, or simply having a hard time, know that you are not alone. Reach out to a friend, family member, coworker, counselor, or someone you trust.

At the Kinston Police Department, we recognize that mental wellness matters for everyone. Taking care of yourself allows you to better care for your family, your friends, and your community.

This month, check in on the men in your life. Sometimes a simple conversation can make a difference.

It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to ask for help. And it’s okay to talk about it.

06/01/2026
06/01/2026

Monday afternoon check-in:

Productive, pretending to be productive, or reading Facebook comments?

On May 30, 2026, at approximately 11:10 AM, the Kinston Police Department's Violent Crime Action Team (VCAT), with assis...
06/01/2026

On May 30, 2026, at approximately 11:10 AM, the Kinston Police Department's Violent Crime Action Team (VCAT), with assistance from D-Squad officers, concluded an investigation into the distribution of crack co***ne in Kinston.

As part of the investigation, detectives executed a search warrant at a residence on Fields Street. Upon entry, 35-year-old Kenneth Timmons was located inside the residence and taken into custody without incident.

During a search of Timmons, detectives located approximately 1 gram of crack co***ne and a quantity of U.S. currency. A search of the residence also revealed items commonly used in the packaging and distribution of narcotics.

Timmons was charged with:
• PWIMSD Schedule II Controlled Substance (3 Counts)
• PWISD Schedule II Controlled Substance (2 Counts)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substances (5 Counts)
• Manufacture Schedule II Controlled Substance

Later in the investigation, detectives located 18-year-old Shymere Garner and took him into custody. At the time of his arrest, Garner was in possession of approximately 14.5 grams of crack co***ne and a firearm.

Garner was charged with:
• PWISD Co***ne (2 Counts)
• Felony Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substances

Both individuals were transported to the Lenoir County Jail, where they were held pending their first court appearance.

On May 29, 2026, at approximately 8:16 PM, KPD's B-Squad conducted a traffic stop on Highway 11 North for a motor vehicl...
06/01/2026

On May 29, 2026, at approximately 8:16 PM, KPD's B-Squad conducted a traffic stop on Highway 11 North for a motor vehicle violation.

During the stop, officers observed evidence of narcotics activity. As the investigation progressed, one of the occupants produced a shoebox containing approximately 61 grams of factory-packaged ma*****na. A search of the vehicle also resulted in the seizure of two fi****ms and $1,198 in U.S. currency.

The driver, 19-year-old Ki'mari Shelton of Columbia, NC, and two juvenile passengers were taken into custody.

Shelton was charged with:

• PWISD Ma*****na
• Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (2 Counts)
• Conspiracy to Sell/Deliver Ma*****na
• Maintaining a Vehicle for Controlled Substances
• Carrying a Concealed Gun

KPD will be working with Juvenile Justice to obtain juvenile petitions for both juveniles for PWISD Ma*****na, Conspiracy to Sell/Deliver Ma*****na, and Carrying a Concealed Gun.

Proud North Carolina moment.For the first time since 2006, the Carolina Hurricanes are headed back to the Stanley Cup Fi...
05/30/2026

Proud North Carolina moment.

For the first time since 2006, the Carolina Hurricanes are headed back to the Stanley Cup Final.

From Raleigh to Kinston, Canes fans have waited a long time for this one. Good luck to the Hurricanes as they take on Las Vegas for hockey’s biggest prize.

Carolina Hurricanes

The Patrol Captains told me to post that they’ll be conducting checkpoints all weekend.There’s just one problem…I forgot...
05/29/2026

The Patrol Captains told me to post that they’ll be conducting checkpoints all weekend.

There’s just one problem…

I forgot to ask where.

My bad. I’ll do better.

𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁On Thursday, May 28, 2026, the Kinston Police Department received informati...
05/29/2026

𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁

On Thursday, May 28, 2026, the Kinston Police Department received information regarding social media videos allegedly posted by 43-year-old Justin Church of Kinston that contained threats directed toward law enforcement and judicial officials within Lenoir County.

Investigators reviewed the publicly available videos, which had been posted on TikTok. During the investigation, officers determined the threats were directed at personnel of the Kinston Police Department, the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office, and Lenoir County Courthouse staff, including judges, prosecutors, and other courthouse employees. The threats referenced the use of a hydrogen-based explosive device.

Due to the nature of the threats, investigators consulted with the Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, Fi****ms and Explosives (ATF). Based on the information obtained during the investigation, officers developed probable cause to seek criminal charges. Arrest warrants were obtained for Church, along with a search warrant for his residence.

Church was subsequently located in the area of Heritage Street and taken into custody without incident.

Following his arrest, investigators executed the search warrant at Church's residence. During the search, officers located and seized multiple items of evidence.

Church was transported to the Lenoir County Jail, where he was held without bond on the following charges:

• Manufacture, Assemble, or Possess a Weapon of Mass Destruction (Felony)
• Threaten Executive, Legislative, Court, or Local Government Officials (Felony)
• Terrorism (Felony)

"We respect and protect every person's First Amendment rights. However, threatening to commit acts of mass violence is not protected speech. When credible threats are made against law enforcement, courthouse personnel, elected officials, or the public, we will investigate them thoroughly and take action when the facts support criminal charges. The safety of our community is not something we are willing to gamble with." - Chief Keith Goyette

This investigation remains ongoing. To protect the integrity of the investigation and any potential future prosecution, no additional information will be released at this time. The Kinston Police Department will not provide further comment regarding this case unless and until additional information is deemed appropriate for release.

Address

205 E King Street
Kinston, NC
28501

Telephone

+12529393160

Website

https://linktr.ee/kinstonpolicedept

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