Johnston County Commissioner Arrested

June 29, 2022 Johnston County Jail Mugshot

SMITHFIELD – Johnston County Commissioner Richard D. Braswell was arrested this morning (Wednesday) by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Braswell was charged with one felony count of taking indecent liberties with a child. He was processed at the Johnston County Magistrate’s Office around 11:00am and released from the Johnston County Jail under a $35,000 secured bond.

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office said they had been investigating Commissioner Braswell since June 6, 2022. On that date, a 13 year old female juvenile came to the sheriff’s office accompanied by her family.

The minor alleged she had an inappropriate interaction with an adult male acquaintance. Detectives, after investigation and consultation with the District Attorney’s Office, obtained a warrant for the arrest of Commissioner Braswell, age 73, of Princeton for one count of indecent liberties with a child.

Sheriff Captain Jeff Caldwell said, “Until the release of criminal discovery in the Superior Court, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office will not provide additional information.”

Johnston County Commissioner Richard D. Braswell files for election in February 2022. Johnston County Report Photo

Johnston County Commission Chairman Butch Lawter told The Johnston County Report, “We just learned of the warrant and we’re evaluating the situation now as it starts the legal process. That’s where we are.”

Commissioner Braswell was appointed in December 2021 to fill out the unexpired term of Commissioner Chad Stewart, representing District 3, through December 2022. Braswell filed for election to the District 3 seat earlier this year. He has no opposition for election in November 2022.

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68 COMMENTS

  1. If this is true, he deserves a fate worse than jail. Punishments need to fit the crime, especially given the position and status of this man…if found guilty.

    • Key words are “if this is true.” I am highly suspicious that it isn’t and I hope everyone doesn’t jump on the guilty train before hearing the facts.

      • It’s the “I hope every one doesn’t jump on the guilty train” that truly gets me about your comment. He indeed should be treated as guilty when it comes to touching a CHILD, until otherwise found not guilty. When did it become believe the accused over the accuser in cases like this?

      • Lori, it’s that mentally that causes so many young girls to not come forward when they are put in particular situations where they’re not comfortable. I’m quite surprised that you,as a female, would make such a comment. Or is it just because of who he happens to be? What if that was your little girl?

  2. Mr. Braswell

    Member of the Republican Party

    According to his own campaign materials:

    Christian
    and
    Conservative

    • This is what happens to anyone who makes a deal with the devil… Christian or not! This behavior is from satan himself.

      • Sorry Jen, only Christians can make a deal with the Devil. Non- christians don’t believe in the Devil.

        • John I know many non-christians who believe in the Devil and also in God. However, they choose not to live ‘the Christian life’. Well, some start when they know their life is coming to an end and others lose their life unexpectedly without that option. We never truly know the beliefs in another’s mind or their relationship with their God.

    • If you are putting your faith in man, then you will always be sorely disappointed. There is no greater sin than for a professed Christian to be a hypocrite and for that turn others away from God because of his actions. My faith is in God. Also, I am not going to be asked about the sins of Dickie Braswell or anyone else on judgement day. I will be asked about my actions. Take a look in the mirror. On that note, I hope justice is served in this case, whatever the outcome.

  5. If Mr. Braswell is guilty then those of us that has supported him with our money and votes will accept his resignation. If Mr. Braswell is innocent and pleads innocent to these charges we cannot accept his resignation. We voted Mr. Braswell in and can vote him out as well without any outside help. If your innocent Mr. Braswell can we expect you to start acting accordingly?

    • except when it suits your religion or politcal stance. Hillary and emails and Benganzi, and now Trump with his emails and other classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and in the toilets and fireplaces. Recently with Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. It has happened many times over the years but sadly people usually only notice when it happens to someome they know or truly support. I don’t know Mr. Braswell, but being a good Christian man is not proof of either innocence or guilt. Most, if not all wars, are fought over religion in one way or another since men started kiling each other.
      Whatever the truth is, I hope there is no ” good old boy” detective work that looks the ofher way solely because of who he is and the position he holds. Happens too much in this county…

  8. What gets me is when it’s a 73 year old white man who claims to be Christian and conservative most give him the benefit of the doubt and “hope” it’s not true or demand others give him the benefit of the doubt and remind us that it’s supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. When it’s a Hispanic or black man or a younger white man with tattoos all over him and a funny haircut then we see the same segment of the population ranting and raving about illegal immigrants, black on black crime or spew some assumptions about not having a father figure at home leading him astray without considering innocence at all. God knows what the comment section would look like if the man was an Arabic man with a full beard.

    Of course our legal system is innocent until proven guilty. As members of the community we obviously should let the case play out. It’s also beyond alarming to think someone could do something that could be labeled assault to a 13 year old child. Folks have to grow up and learn you can’t judge a book by its cover. No matter how “normal” or “friendly” a face looks or what position they hold the in the community or what church they do or don’t attend – we don’t know what anyone does when no one is looking. Folks should be praying for and thinking of the victim in this case, not defending the accused. If he is innocent it will come out and at that point we can make statements on his behalf. If he’s innocent I hope he will prove himself to be, if he’s guilty I hope he is put where he can’t harm another child the rest of his life and gets psychological help. More than anything I hope the 13 year old can go on to live a relatively normal life and the alleged acts of an old pervert doesn’t haunt her for the rest of her life and have very real consequences on her psyche.

    It’s also ridiculous to make this case somehow about the Clintons or Trump and Epstein. Everything is not politics! Turn off Fox News, quanon and msnbc. Some things are simply right and wrong. It’s not about who sexually assaults less children or what political party has more or less sex offenders. Stop acting like a bunch of middle schoolers. That’s the entire reason our country is where we find ourselves right now. Too many folks concerned with toeing the party line and wanting to trash the other side and not paying attention to reality. Keep your eye on the ball – not what the media forces down your throat for click bait. Life ain’t a scoreboard.

    • You really hit the nail on the head with this comment!!! Sadly it’s never the people you would expect to assault innocent children or we wouldn’t ever allow them access to our children. The girl and her family certainly need our prayers right now. People tend to be more forgiving and protective of people in their social and political background unfortunately, instead of giving everyone the stance of innocent until proven guilty.

    • Mr Cee, I am in total agreement with you. Everyone needs to stop behaving like middle school students and wake up to what’s happening in the world. They’re all too busy pointing fingers, lashing out at today’s youths and trying to turn everything into a political fight. Oh yeah I can’t leave out the “Christian” aspect of it all. No one knows what goes on behind closed doors.
      I’m concerned that he may be guilty and end up with only a slap on the wrist based on who he is. You must admit, our judicial system really has become a big joke lately.
      For the young child involved in this case, I hope she finds a compassionate experienced therapist to help her through this.

  9. Russell Ziskey et al, do you still believe in innocence until proven guilty when cops kill black people?

    • Innocent until proven guilty, yes. That’s what the court system is for. If you don’t , then you are walking a very dangerous line and put even yourself in jeopardy. How this somehow is connected with someone killing an African -American or any other race culture or creed is beyond me. Some people like to use dog whistles. To demonize a profession, race, sex or religious view because of a few bad ones is also a slippery slope. I remember after 9/11 people were denigrated for labeling all Muslims as terrorists, I also remember a entire sports team (Duke Lacrosse) being dissolved, people fired over a false claim. You better watch out because you can not have it both ways. If this happened it’s not because of his political affiliation, gender, color or religious belief. Not one bit of evidence was presented in the article. If after trial he is found “ not guilty” I hope you will post an apology, if guilty then whatever the court determines his sentence.
      Finally, if you think someone is guilty without a trial, then you are as biased as you think I am. Pot meet kettle.

      • Note that I asked you a simple question. I never speculated about Braswell’s guilt or innocence. You seem defensive.

          • Just like I believe in innocent until proven guilty when s a blank person kills a cop, or white, Asian, Hispanic or another “black” person ( which is far more likely).

  10. HEE,HEE,HEE, just look at all the hate speech coming out of these social justice supporters of the ME TOO MOVEMENT that’s demands you to beleive the so-called GOLD STANDARD of a female victim should they not be any physical evidence? OH, I think this country has came along ways in how the two-tier justice system has morphed from being a injustice of one race into another injustice of another race has it not? Just look at all of this time and effort spent in defending a witch burning at the stake in the name of you must without a doubt believe the victim because of her sex, age and the story she has brought to us? The condemned must have the fire set ablazed because of his sex, age and because of the seriousness of the charges? HEE,HEE,HEE, all it takes to bring out the hate speech comments is for someone to post a message that if your innocent then act like it Mr. Braswell and if you are innocent then no we don’t want your resignation!

  11. Do not judge a book by its cover….adultery is the history of this man….and mostly with much, much younger girls/women

    • Experience Talks…you hit the nail on the head….. What happens in the dark will come it light.

  12. They really need to get rid of commenting on this site. Every other article is followed by a pile of snarky liberal lies and fake news.

  13. I don’t know how this became political or religious. It doesn’t matter what the skin color or ethnicity has to do with anything either. We are American and that’s how people should see it. This man is being accused of a very serious crime. I personally know him. However, the justice system is “innocent until proven guilty” in some cases I think it needs to be “guilty until proven innocent” but that’s just me. You never know what lurks behind closed doors.

  14. I have known Richard for over 40 years. I would be totally shocked if he has done anything improper!

    • I’ve known him quite awhile also. The article makes it sound like he only grooms and buys gifts for young girls. The reality is the always goes out of his way to help anyone around him. Male or female, young or old.

      If this turns out to be true, then woe be unto him. Let’s get the full story Give it a few days to reach the light of day.

  16. You keyboard masters love to talk crap behind a keyboard. Just sit back and watch. But you can’t. You like hiding behind a keyboard.

    • Casey Duke, so true. Some act like they want to grab pitchforks and torches and march on his house.

  17. Anyone that remotely knows this man can look at the picture that is provided by the sheriff office for processing and without any doubt recognize the empty shell of a human being who looks as if his soul has been ripped out of him. This man Mr. Braswell has walked this earth for 73 years and I quote the comment of “Experience Talks” and ask why didn’t you add pedofilia or child abuse to your comment? You have presented yourself as being in the know did you not?

    June 30, 2022 At 5:46 am
    “Do not judge a book by its cover….adultery is the history of this man….and mostly with much, much younger girls/women”

    Not one mention of pedofilia or of child abuse. Why would a man of this status wait until entering politics to risk so much? I am totally astonished by some of these comments and for the lack of anyone demanding Mr. Braswell resignation from the board of commissioners. I think that speaks volumes for the support this man has. Now if Mr. Braswell ownes up to anything close to his charges I will be demanding his resignation as all of us should. I will not be imbarresed by my comments but only disappointed in not knowing what I thought I knew. We all will at some point know the truth folks because what is lost in the fire is aways found in the ashes.

    • Do you see how fast a warrant was issued for him ? June 6 is when the investigation started I know him very well also and I would never ever had thought he would do something like this. Usually some cases these are investigated for months if not years to gather evidence to issue a warrant. But I’m this case evidence are strong And you know this is one of the original Johnston county boys and they will not issue a warrant unless evidence are there

      • This claim can be made now days over a incident that spans back 30 years and law enforcement has to act in order to protect thier self. All men needs to understand is that women that makes these accusations from 30 years ago and girls the age under18 is the only humans that dont have the ability to lie. The new norm is let the courts figure this new social justice of a ME TOO movement out?

  18. Just take a moment and imagine if news broke on WRAL that a Johnston County Commissioner was acused of indecent liberties with a minor but with out any physical evidence no charges would be made. Would we not be on the National News Stage?

  19. if yall trust Sherifff Bizzell like most of yall drool over being as close to Jesus as one can be – then why are you now questioning his judgment in this case over all the others he has been patted on the back for?

    Does he do his job only when he arrests black and latino and white drug addicts? Is he not doing his job if he arrests a white Christian, who I don’t know personally but people on here are saying he is a Conservative. What is the difference now? Why is everyone upset but would be cheering him on when he arrests a (made up named) Mr. Lopez, who may or may not be an American citizen. Don’t forget, anyone form Puerto Rico is an American citizen and they will likely have a last name more to their heritage than a white European one. Bigotry at its finest here – for many many reasons. I think only one or two people even mentioned any concern for the allegedly abused little girl whose life is now, if true, totally damaged bu her or her families trust in this man. She isn’t just going to go skipping down the school halls come August like nothing ever happened to her.She isn’t going to be the same girl , no matter whether she was outgoing or an introvert. Hopefully for her sake, the abuse was minor, if there can be such a thing – but as opposed to full on SA, there can be. Still traumatic and she may not trust men for a long time. To answer the questioned someome asked about the bond difference between two individuals – it could very well be the nature of what occurred – or they knew the other man had much more money. His reputation of having millions is well known. Though at his age and with his health problems and previous fines and court battles – I don’t know if that is true anymore…it could be if he had some put away for a rainy day.

    • I for one believe he should resign! I think the fact that a previous commissioner was arrested and resigned should set the precedent for Mr Braswell. Also he is no longer trustworthy so should not be on the commissioners board.
      I do hope this young girl is ok and receiving the help she needs to get past this mentally and emotionally. Whether he is guilty or not this young lady feels something inappropriate occurred and that will impact her for a long time.

      • I’m going to correct my statement above… another commissioner was not arrested he was just having domestic legal trouble when he resigned. I still believe Braswell should resign!

        • was that the guy form four oaks or bentonville area whose wife accused him of DV? Of was that guy a deputy? it was several yearly ago is all I remember…but then again might not even be related to this at all.

          I have more faith in SA cases when they are promptly reported as opposed to years later, although I do understand why some people wait that long. I was gang raped when I was 18/19. I never reported it, for several reasons. One, I went willingly to the party with one of the guys – and I don’t even remember his name now. I have never drank alcohol (back then the drinking age was 18) but probably had a coke to drink. The next thing I remember was not being able to move physically, or even speak really but I was conscious. The first one was the guy I had followed to the party, then some of his friend came into the room afterwards. By the time I was in any shape to move, the place was empty. I had no clue really where I was, but eventually found a street that lead me to I 95 and then I got back home. I didn’t even tell my parents. I showered and tried to block it all from my mind. Even if I had gone to the police, I couldn’t remember his name for some reason, really no address, as I didn’t think to look for one when leaving and I just wanted to forget it ever happened. I never did hear from or see the guy again even though he had come to where I worked a second job for months and flirted with me and we had talked about getting together. we did eat at the snack bar I worked at, but that was during my breaks, so not really a date. He never showed any signs that he would assault me, I never felt I was in danger when he was around me. It just shows you truly never know the person you are dealing with. Out of the blue, their evil side can come out. Thankfully I have never felt any personal shame for what happened since I knew I had done nothing wrong. I moved away from that area almost 40 years ago so I have no idea whatever happened to him. I do hope he wasn’t a serial rapist but he and his friends certainly had issues on how to treat women. I wasn’t able to say no, but one of them should have seen that I was in no shape to consent either. Back in 1979/1980 I guess those things weren’t thought about like they are today. I raised my son to understand that No, at whatever point it is said, means to immediately stop – no questions asked. Second thoughts are allowed to happen with consenting adults of either sex. With a 13 year old – it is always No. Even if she/he says others wise – the adult needs to leave the room immediately. Leave the house if that is what it takes. I was also inappropriately touched by my uncle (by marriage) when I was hitting puberty, he played it off as an accident, but I knew better. I have learned he touched other female cousin and had affairs during his marriage to my aunt. She sadly blamed the other women. He was a deacon in a local church down here. I always knew he was a snake in the grass but he was respected by the church and owned his own business. He didn’t touch me down here, but where I grew up at, where he also lived at the time. If I had told my father, my uncle would be dead and my father in prison, so again, I said nothing except I did tell my uncle not to touch me again or I would tell my father. That was enough to stop that.

          Well my SA stories that I have held onto for over 47 years are now in writing. I am sure there are many others like me with untold stories. I am proud of this 13 year old, if her story is true, to have the courage to report the incident. Much braver than I was at that age. Now, wherever the evidence points,I hope the detectives follow it. If the girl and her family is lying, shame on them. If Mr Braswell is guilty, then I hope the full weight of the justice system will fall upon him and he faces the appropriate sentencing for whatever crime he is convicted of. No plea deals please….

  20. I can picture a bunch of people, sitting on a porch in rocking chair’s, drinking lemonade, sounding like Andy Griffin while having this conversation. No disrespect.

    • Barny, Goober, Otis y’all boys come on out because I am cutting the lights off and locking the door on this one! Aunt Bee and Opie has some pot roast waiting! Ummm! All this will be setting right here waiting on us tomorrow boys!

  21. There is already a good ol boy network here. He was processed in and out in record time. He was allowed to come in on his own and was not arrested at his home. He had a ridiculously low bond. Many things will come to light before the next election.

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