Pubdate: Fri, 14 Apr 2006
Source: Fayetteville Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2006 Fayetteville Observer
Contact:  http://www.fayettevillenc.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/150
Author: James Locklear
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our 
editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who 
have not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise 
public figures or officials.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?246 (Policing - United States)

PROBE NETS FORMER ROBESON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY

LUMBERTON -- A former Robeson County sheriff's deputy was charged 
Wednesday with armed robbery and kidnapping in an investigation that 
has already led to the arrest of five other men, including another 
former detective. Patrick Ferguson surrendered to State Bureau of 
Investigation agents at the Sheriff's Office. He was charged with two 
counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of 
kidnapping, according to an arrest report. Ferguson was jailed, with 
his bail set at $20,000. He is 34 and lives in Red Springs. Vincent 
Sinclair, the other former detective, was charged last year after an 
investigation into robberies and kidnappings involving drug dealers. 
A grand jury indicted Sinclair on two counts each of second-degree 
kidnapping and robbery with a dangerous weapon.

Others charged have no connection with law enforcement. They are: [4 
names, ages, and cities redacted]

No Warning Signs

Ferguson worked for the Sheriff's Office for nearly 10 years. He 
formerly served as a juvenile detective under Sheriff Ken Sealey when 
Sealey headed the juvenile investigation division.

Ferguson left the department about five years ago to take a security 
job working in the Balkans. Sinclair was promoted from road deputy to 
take Ferguson's position.

Ferguson returned about a year later and went back to work in the 
department's warrant division until taking a job as an investigator 
with the public defender's office.

Sealey said Thursday that he was surprised when he heard Ferguson's 
name come up in the investigation. He said Ferguson worked for him 
for about three years and was an excellent employee.

"I never saw a sign of anything wrong," Sealey said. "He was a good 
investigator when he worked with me." Ferguson, Sinclair and the 
others are accused of robbing drug dealers and a kidnapping in the 
Virginia Beach area, according to an indictment. Sinclair is accused 
of using equipment and vehicles from the Sheriff's Office in a staged 
drug raid on May 14, 2004, on McGirt Gin Road in Maxton. The other 
men posed as police officers and held several people at gunpoint 
while robbing a home there.

They are accused of kidnapping and beating a St. Pauls man -- Darius 
Bain -- and holding him until a $150,000 ransom was paid. 
Investigators say the men also kidnapped Ronald Lamont Wilson and 
Elton Williams in February 2004 from Virginia Beach.

Wilson and Williams were able to escape in Johnston County and alert 
police. Sealey fired Sinclair after his arrest last May. Sinclair had 
worked with the Robeson County Sheriff's Office for about 10 years. 
It is not known when Ferguson was last employed with the county. 
County officials said they did not have access to his personnel 
records Thursday afternoon. Ferguson could not be reached for comment.

Sinclair has said previously that he is innocent. He accused the 
sheriff's investigators of trying to make him a "scapegoat" to cover 
for other wrongdoing in the department. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake