Proactive Traffic Stop in Whiteville Uncovers Narcotics and Links Driver to Local Break-Ins

WHITEVILLE, NC — A proactive traffic stop by the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office has led to the arrest of two repeat offenders, uncovering narcotics near a local school and solving a string of recent residential break-ins.

On July 9, 2026, detectives with the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Vice/Narcotics Unit pulled over a 2012 Honda Accord within the Whiteville city limits. What began as a routine traffic violation quickly escalated into a multi-layered criminal investigation.

Traffic Stop Resolves Outstanding Felony Warrants

Upon stopping the vehicle, detectives identified the driver as Jessie Levern Dudley, 60. A swift records check revealed that Dudley was driving with a suspended North Carolina driver’s license and was actively wanted on multiple outstanding felony warrants. Dudley was taken into custody without incident.

Subsequent investigation revealed that Dudley was already out on pretrial release at the time of the stop. Furthermore, detectives tied him to multiple unresolved property crimes in the area. Reports indicate that investigators linked Dudley to thefts dating back to February and March in the Wayne’s Way area, where items including video game consoles and air conditioning units were stolen from residential properties.

Jessie Levern Dudley faces the following charges:

• Felony Maintaining a Vehicle for Controlled Substances

• Misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance Within 1,000 Feet of a School

• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

• Multiple Outstanding Felony Warrants (including breaking, entering, and larceny)

Due to his status on pretrial release, Dudley is currently being held at the Columbus County Detention Center under no bond.

Passenger Attempted to Discard Cocaine Near School Grounds

As the roadside investigation progressed, detectives ordered the vehicle’s passenger, Michelle Hunter, 31, of East Lewis Street, Whiteville, to step out of the car.

Upon exiting, Hunter allegedly pulled suspected narcotics from her person and attempted to discard them on the ground. Detectives quickly intervened, recovering a small quantity of what was later identified as cocaine, preventing it from being abandoned within 1,000 feet of a nearby school zone.

Michelle Hunter was taken into custody and faces the following charges:

• Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Cocaine)

• Misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance Within 1,000 Feet of a School

• Littering Hazardous Waste

• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Hunter was booked into the county jail under a $25,000 secured bond.

Sheriff Reaffirms Commitment to Drug Enforcement

All recovered narcotics and drug paraphernalia were cataloged and sent to the state lab for formal evidentiary processing. Columbus County Sheriff W.A. Rogers emphasized the critical nature of routine, proactive policing in keeping local neighborhoods safe.

“Proactive enforcement remains an important part of our continued effort to remove illegal drugs from our communities,” Sheriff Rogers stated following the arrests. “Our Special Operations personnel remain committed to identifying criminal activity, holding offenders accountable, and protecting the citizens of Columbus County.”

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding local drug activity or property crimes to submit tips anonymously via the official Sheriff’s Office mobile app.

All individuals listed are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Charges and case statuses may change as investigations and court proceedings continue.