Union County District Attorney's Office

07/24/2026

Today a Union County jury convicted Luis Vail-Lopez, 24, of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. He was sentenced to serve 33-52 months in prison.

The State’s evidence showed that in September 2022, the defendant ambushed the victim after she finished working third shift at an assisted living facility in Monroe. As the victim sat in her car, Vail-Lopez forced his way into the vehicle and, when she fought back, stabbed the victim multiple times in the leg. He then fled the scene.

Investigators quickly linked this random attack with a separate random attack by a similarly described assailant. In addition to the victim’s identification of the defendant, Vail-Lopez’s cell phone records placed him at the crime scene at the relevant time.

Vail-Lopez was already tried and convicted in February 2025 of the separate assault—a r**e—and is currently serving a lengthy prison sentence. The sentence imposed in this case will be served at the conclusion of that sentence.

“This victim showed incredible courage coming to court and confronting her attacker,” said District Attorney Trey Robison. “Mr. Vail-Lopez is an extremely dangerous man, and my Office was committed to getting him off the streets, and keeping him off the streets, for as long as possible.”

This case was investigated by the Monroe Police Department and prosecuted by ADAs Megan Fallon and Megan Pfuntner.

06/24/2026

Last week, a Union County jury found Jaymian Rector, 23, and Fabian Osuna, 25, guilty of common law robbery.

The presiding judge sentenced each of the defendants to 13-25 months in prison, suspended for a period of 30 months of supervised probation. While on probation, the defendants must serve an active term of 120 days at the direction of their respective probation officers.

The State’s evidence showed that in March 2023, the defendants arranged to purchase knock-off AirPods from the victim at a local subdivision clubhouse. When the parties met, in lieu of completing a lawful purchase, Rector and Osuna stole the items while choking and punching the victim. The defendants fled in their vehicle and were later apprehended by law enforcement, who were able to recover the stolen items.

This case was investigated by the Waxhaw Police Department and prosecuted by ADAs Heidi Eggles and Caitlin Gloria.

06/19/2026

Today, a Union County jury found Alden John Whitehead, 37, guilty of first degree murder and felony child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The State’s evidence showed that in April 2019, Whitehead beat his 2-year-old son Louis to death at his Indian Trail residence. While under the exclusive custody of the defendant, who had him for the weekend, Louis sustained ten separate injuries to his head, including a massive subdural hemorrhage, along with other bruising about his face and body. After injuring the child, Whitehead left him to die in order to have a s*xual encounter with his girlfriend. Louis’ body was found by his mother the following day when she arrived to pick him up from visitation.

Louis’ cause of death was blunt force injuries due to assault.

“We, once again, extend our deepest condolences to Louis’ family,” District Attorney Trey Robison said. “What happened to this beautiful little boy has deeply affected every member of my staff. I am grateful for this very patient jury that, in the end, ensured that justice was done for Louis and that his killer was, finally, held accountable. Justice was long overdue in this case after years of defense delay tactics.”

“I commend the hard work of the investigators that worked on this case, and I could not be prouder of the dedication, persistence, and skill shown by the DA’s Office team that prosecuted this very difficult case.”

This case was investigated by the Union County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by ADAs Mary Beth Usher and Greyson Whitaker.

03/30/2026

Beware of a new wave of scam text messages falsely claiming to come from the North Carolina DMV and threatening license suspension, fines, and other penalties.

Attorney General Jeff Jackson. Find North Carolina's Department of Justice information today.

02/27/2026

Today, a Union County jury found Maurice Lamon Stitt, 42, guilty of two counts of first degree r**e of a child, two counts of first degree s*x offense with a child, and four counts of indecent liberties with a child. Stitt was sentenced to the maximum punishment allowable by law, totaling 96-118 years in prison.

If Stitt is ever released from prison, he is required to register as a s*x offender for the rest of his natural life.

The State’s evidence showed that Stitt began molesting the victim in July 2003 when she was 11 years old. The abuse continued for several years, despite the victim disclosing the abuse to several adults while it was occurring. As an adult, the victim came forward to law enforcement, seeking closure and accountability.

“I’m gratified that the jury did the right thing and held Mr. Stitt to account for his terrible crimes,” District Attorney Trey Robison said. “The fact that, as a child, this victim had disclosed the terrible things that were happening to her and had gotten no help from the adults in her life is heartbreaking and infuriating. I’m happy that we were able to obtain a measure of justice for her, all of these years later.”

This case was investigated by the Union County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by ADA Megan Pfuntner.

02/10/2026

With this political season upon us, the Union County District Attorney's Office offers a friendly reminder that under North Carolina General Statute § 136-32(e), it is a Class 3 misdemeanor for anyone to steal, deface, vandalize, or unlawfully remove a political sign that is lawfully placed. A Class 3 misdemeanor carries a penalty of up to 20 days in jail and a fine of up to $200.

No matter who you support or what you believe, we are all neighbors in this community. Let’s work together to ensure everyone’s property and safety are respected during this election season.

If you see suspicious activity involving political signs, please report it immediately by calling 911.

01/16/2026

Today, a Union County jury found Richard Thomas Horne, 52, guilty of two counts of statutory s*x offense, one count of statutory r**e, and one count of in**st. The presiding judge sentenced him to serve three consecutive sentences totaling 65 to 88.75 years in prison.

The State’s evidence showed that between 2010 and 2012, the defendant began molesting his biological daughter by forcing her to perform fe****io while her mother was working as a night nurse. At the time, she was between four and six years old. Horne continued s*xually assaulting his daughter until 2018. The abuse was uncovered in July 2021 when the victim’s stepsister inadvertently discovered text messages between the victim and a friend.

“I am thankful that this jury was able to see the truth and provide this young woman some measure of justice for all she has been through,” District Attorney Trey Robison said. “ I commend her for her courage in seeing this case through and I hope she can continue the healing process.”

Should Horne ever be released from prison, he is required to register as a s*x offender for the remainder of his natural life and be subject to satellite based monitoring.

This case was investigated by the Union County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by ADA Megan Pfuntner.

12/09/2025

On the day his jury trial was set to begin, Elias Badri Walid Francis, 24, pled guilty as charged to felony death by motor vehicle. He was sentenced by the presiding judge to serve 54-77 months in prison.

On the evening of April 21, 2023, Francis crossed the center line of Unionville-Indian Trail Road, while moving at a high rate of speed, and struck victim Alfredo Palacio, who was driving in the opposite direction, head-on. Palacio was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Immediately prior to the wreck, Francis had been drinking at a Charlotte restaurant and had been cut off by the bartender due to his obvious inebriation. As a friend attempted to secure a safe ride home for him, Francis snuck out of the restaurant, got in his vehicle, and left the area.

A blood test confirmed the defendant’s blood alcohol level was a 0.16 approximately three hours after the fatal collision.

This case was investigated by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and prosecuted by ADAs Heidi Eggles and Greyson Whitaker.