Via CCSO: On July 10, 2019, Columbus County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a residence on Sunset Terrace in Whiteville, NC, in reference to a shooting into an occupied dwelling. Upon arrival, deputies made entry into the residence to attempt to locate the suspect. While inside the residence, detectives were positioned at the back door, and the male suspect, later identified as Maurice Isaac Hemingway, jumped from a window on the side of the residence. Deputies then pursued the suspect into a wooded area beside the residence. One deputy briefly saw the suspect and issued loud verbal commands for him to stop, which he did not comply with. Deputies lost the suspect in the woods and returned to the residence. Deputies spoke with the female resident and received consent to search the residence for any evidence of a shooting. During the search, deputies and detectives found a rifle and other items hidden under a mattress in the room from which the suspect had jumped. Maurice Hemingway, a convicted felon on federal probation, was identified as the suspect, and the weapon and ammunition were seized. Warrants were issued for Mr. Hemingway for possession of a firearm by a felon and resisting a public officer.

On March 7, 2020, the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on US 74 in the Leland area. The vehicle had three occupants: an unknown driver, Maurice Hemingway, and Samual Arnett. Prior to the traffic stop, these three suspects had been involved in an assault in Wilmington. During the traffic stop, Brunswick County’s K9 unit performed an external walk-around of the vehicle, leading to probable cause for an internal search. During the vehicle search, deputies located a firearm and drug paraphernalia. Mr. Hemingway provided a false ID, which had active warrants connected to it. He was taken into custody under this false identity. At the Brunswick County Detention Center, during a standard strip search, officers found a firearm inserted in Mr. Hemingway’s rectum and narcotics near his genitalia. Mr. Hemingway was federally indicted following this arrest.

While in the custody of the U.S. Marshals in Virginia awaiting his federal court trial, Mr. Hemingway stabbed a fellow inmate. On October 29, 2020, a day after the Federal Grand Jury, Mr. Hemingway was charged with the following:

Count 1: 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) – Possession with Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Cocaine Base (Crack)

Count 3: 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924 – Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

Mr. Hemingway received 204 months of imprisonment for Count 1 and 120 months for Count 3, to run concurrently for a total of 204 months imprisonment, with recommendations made. Additionally, he was sentenced to 3 years of supervised release for each count, to run concurrently for a total of 3 years, with special conditions. An additional 60 months was added to his supervised release based on previous federal release violations.

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office benefits from a full-time ATF Violent Crimes Task Force Officer, who works diligently to remove violent and repeat offenders from the streets. This collaboration ensures that the most severe cases are considered for federal prosecution, often resulting in harsher sentences compared to state charges. Sheriff Rogers expresses his gratitude for the strong working relationships between the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies, which contribute to the safety and well-being of the community.