Craven County Sheriff's Office

09/16/2026

Arkansas Man Extradited for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in Craven County

The Craven County Sheriff’s Office received a report involving sexual exploitation of a child involving a person the child met on Tik Tok. An investigation conducted by the Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) identified Tyler Paul Hutcheson, 23, of Harrison, Arkansas as the perpetrator. The District Attorney’s Office was consulted, and warrants were issued by a Magistrate.

Hutcheson was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals in Arkansas and on September 15, 2026, Hutcheson was extradited to North Carolina and served his outstanding warrants.

Hutcheson is charged with felony first degree sexual exploitation of a minor, felony second degree sexual exploitation of a minor, and indecent liberties with a minor.

Tyler Hutcheson is being held in the Craven County Sheriff's Office Confinement Facility under no bond.

Tyler Hutcheson is also wanted out of Indiana for two counts of child molesting, two counts of r**e, and two counts of child exploitation. Haylee Schmidt of Indianapolis, Indiana admitted to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigators that she had created multiple videos documenting her molesting a 2-year-old at the request of Tyler Hutcheson in exchange for $25.

The Sheriff’s Office encourages parents to maintain open communication with their children about the risks associated with social media and online gaming. Platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, Tik Tok and multiplayer games can expose kids to bad strangers, having proactive conversations is essential for preventing dangerous encounters with strangers.

The Sheriff’s Office urges parents and guardians to stay actively involved in their children's digital lives by monitoring online activity, maintaining access to their accounts, and keeping track of their passwords for routine check-ins. When it comes to a child's safety and well-being, parental oversight must always come first.

*News article involving Indiana Case*
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/docs-arkansas-man-wanted-in-indiana-for-directing-indy-woman-to-produce-csam-with-2-year-old-in-exchange-for-money/ar-AA29NV6m

09/16/2026

Join us September 22, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Fairfield Harbour Community Center for National Night Out.

09/15/2026

UPDATE: 9/16/26 6:55 AM - Missing Person Located

John Thurston was located this morning in Virginia Beach, Virginia and is safe. Family members were contacted and picked him up to bring him back to North Carolina.

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Man Reported Missing in Vanceboro, N.C.

The Craven County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in locating John Warren Thurston, age 78. John Thurston was last seen today leaving his residence on River Road in Vanceboro, N.C. He is driving a 2022 white Honda CRV, with North Carolina registration PCB-3015.

John Thurston was last seen wearing khaki shorts, a two Rivers church T-shirt, dark blue in color, and gray tennis shoes.

John Thurston’s vehicle was last seen on surveillance footage in Williamston, N.C. on U.S. 17 near Park Street on September 15, 2026 at approximately 6:30 P.M.

Due to a diagnosis of dementia, there is significant concern for his safety. A Silver Alert is in the process of being issued.

If you have seen John Thurston or have any information regarding his whereabouts, please immediately contact the Craven County Sheriff’s Office at 252-636-6620, Craven County Communications at 252-633-2357, or you local law enforcement agency. Your call could be the one that brings him home.

09/15/2026

09/15/2026

New Bern Man Charged with Larceny from Blueberry Farm

On July 9, 2026, the Craven County Sheriff’s Office responded to a larceny report at Nelson's Blueberry Farm in Bridgeton, N.C. Approximately eighty (80) sprinkler heads were stolen from the property.

An investigation conducted by the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Bureau identified Ronald Dean Morris, 58, of Pettiford Lane New Bern, N.C. as the perpetrator.

On September 14, 2026, Morris was arrested and charged with felony larceny, felony obtaining property by false pretense, felony conspiracy, and injury to real property.

Morris is being held in the Craven County Confinement Facility.

09/15/2026

Join us tonight, September 15, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Harlowe Volunteer Fire Department, located at 801 Ferry Road Havelock, N.C. for National Night Out.

09/11/2026

Great job Corporal Sauls!

09/11/2026

Never Forget – September 11, 2001

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. On that fateful day, nearly 3,000 innocent lives were lost, leaving a lasting mark on our nation and forever altering countless families, first responders, and communities.

Remembering the Victims: We pause to solemnly honor those who lost their lives.

Honoring First Responders: We recognize the extraordinary bravery of the heroes who rushed directly into danger.

National Resilience: We reflect on the profound unity and strength demonstrated by our nation in the face of terror.

As we look back, we also extend our deepest gratitude to the men and women of our armed forces who answered the call in the years that followed, as well as the families who continue to carry the heavy burden of that day.

The Craven County Sheriff’s Office stands with our community in remembrance and gratitude. May we never forget the sacrifice, the loss, and the enduring strength that define September 11th.

We will always remember.

Sheriff Chip Hughes

09/10/2026

School Bus Safety

The Craven County Sheriff's Office has received numerous complaints from parents related to vehicles not stopping for school buses. The Sheriff's Office has increased patrols to address these concerns.

During recent stops, motorists claimed they thought passing a bus was legal as long as only the red lights were flashing, provided the mechanical stop arm wasn't extended.

Sheriff Chip Hughes emphasized that drivers are legally required to stop whenever a school bus activates its flashing red lights or displays its mechanical stop signal, and motorists must maintain a safe buffer of at least 10 feet.

Yellow flashing lights - indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Drivers should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.

Red flashing lights and extended stop arms - indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. Drivers must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.

North Carolina General Statue 20-217 - Motor Vehicles to Stop for Properly Marked and Designated School Buses

When a school bus is displaying its mechanical stop signal or flashing red lights and the bus is stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging passengers, the driver of any other vehicle that approaches the school bus from any direction on the same street, highway, or public vehicular area shall bring that other vehicle to a full stop and shall remain stopped. The driver of the other vehicle shall not proceed to move, pass, or attempt to pass the school bus until after the mechanical stop signal has been withdrawn, the flashing red stoplights have been turned off, and the bus has started to move.

Cost of Violations:

Passing a stopped school bus in North Carolina is a class 1 misdemeanor, carries a minimum $500 fine and adds five points to your driver's license.

The consequences escalate severely if a violation results in injury or death:

Hitting someone: Classified as a Class I felony, carrying a minimum fine of $1,250.

Killing someone: Escalates to a Class H felony, carrying a $2,500 fine.