Arrest made in Woodland sexual assault

Published 12:40 pm Saturday, August 22, 2009

JACKSON — An arrest has been made in a sexual assault that occurred in Woodland last week.

According to Northampton County Sheriff Wardie Vincent, his office received a call in reference to a sexual assault at approximately 1 a.m. on Wednesday, August 12.

The female victim told responding officers a man forced his way into her home and raped her. The victim was transported to Roanoke Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie.

Vincent said a suspect was identified and officers arrested Reginald Levern Johnson, Jr., 18, of Lot 127 Arrowhead Mobile Home Park in Woodland.

Johnson was charged with second degree rape and second degree burglary. The latter, Vincent said, originated from the suspect allegedly forcing his way into the home.

Johnson was placed in the Northampton County Jail on a $30,000 secured bond. His first appearance in court was Thursday.

Lieutenant Detective Brenda Burnette was the investigating officer.

“The investigation is forthcoming and there may be other charges,” said Vincent.

In other crime news, Vincent reported the arrest of Renard Lamont Fennell, 28, of 223 Walnut St. in Woodland.

Fennell’s arrest stems from a shooting at the Onyx Night Club in Potecasi on Sunday, August 9 in which a male victim was shot in the upper leg area. The victim was taken to Roanoke Chowan Hospital.

Vincent said Fennell fled to Bertie County, where he was arrested with the help of the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office.

Johnson was charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Lt. Detective Burnette was the investigating officer.

He was placed in the Northampton County Jail on a $30,000 secured bond and at his first court appearance his bail was increased to $500,000 secured.

Vincent also reported the August 10 arrest of John Henry Foreman, 46, of 149 Highway 308 in Rich Square.

Foreman’s arrest stems from citizens’ calls about drug activity in Rich Square. The sheriff said his officers set up surveillance in the area.

Vincent said Deputy Jenkins spotted a vehicle being operated by Foreman and initiated traffic stop that soon turned into a foot chase.

Upon the apprehension of Foreman, Jenkins allegedly found crack cocaine on the suspect’s person.

Foreman was charged with maintaining a vehicle for the sale of a controlled substance and possession with the intent to manufacture, sell and deliver crack cocaine.

He was placed in the Northampton County Jail on a $200,000 bond. Vincent said more charges may come as Foreman had just been released from jail and was on probation.

The sheriff thanked the citizens for their calls and help in apprehending Foreman.

On Saturday, August 8, the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office also arrested Anthony Theodore Dickens Rich Square and Phillip Sharon of Rich Square.

Vincent said the arrests stems from an incident in which Deputy Pair spotted a vehicle between Conway and Woodland weaving. Pair initiated a stop and as a result found an open container of alcohol in the vehicle giving him probable cause to search the vehicle.

Upon further investigation, Pair found a .22 semi-automatic handgun and also spotted the passenger, later identified as Sharon, allegedly trying to dispose of a .9 mm hand gun.

Pair radioed for back up and then took the two men into custody with the help of Sgt. Lynette Clements.

Dickens was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, driving while intoxicated and open container. He was place in jail under a $2,000 secured bond.

Sharon was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was placed in the Northampton County Jail on a $1,000 secured bond.