“Systemic Failure In Oversight And Supervision From Kenly Police”
Johnston County District Attorney Susan Doyle announced today no criminal charges will be filed following a NC State Bureau of Investigation into the Kenly Police Department.
In September 2019, the District Attorney requested the SBI investigate an incident but no further details were released. Two weeks later, on October 7, 2019, Police Lieutenant Casey Jonnes was fired for “failure to comply with the terms of the Town of Kenly Personnel Policy,” according to a statement at the time from Town Manager Michael Douglas.
In a June 4, 2020 letter released today by District Attorney Doyle to NC SBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Phillip A. Stevens, “After a thorough review of your case file as well as multiple discussions with you about the facts of the case, I have determined that there will be no criminal charges filed in this matter.”
“I have serious concerns about the way former Lieutenant Casey Jones handled the currency that was seized as evidence from defendant Daniel Jagow; however, I do not believe there was criminal intent to alter, destroy, or steal evidence as the statute required. The fact that Jones later gave the money to the defendant’s girlfriend to get to a place of safety away from the defendant violated Kenly Police Department’s evidence collection and retention policy as well as the defendant’s rights, but further indicates that Jones did not have intent to commit a crime. Jones was appropriately terminated for his violation of this departmental policy.”
“I believe Jones’ action indicate a systemic failure in oversight and supervision from Kenly Police Department with respect to ensuring that the evidence collection and retention policy is strictly followed. I am copying the Kenly Town Attorney on this letter because these ongoing issues need to be addressed immediately within Kenly Police Department in order to ensure that defendants’ rights are protected in every case.”
Click Here To Read District Attorney Doyle’s Letter
