FOUR OAKS – A Bentonville resident has been indicted for murder in the death of an acquaintance. Onzie Putnam Cox, age 29, of Harper House Road, Newton Grove was indicted July 18 by a Johnston County Grand Jury on two charges, murder and for being an habitual felon.
On June 10, 2022 authorities allege Cox killed Preston Shadrack Mayo, age 39, at a home on Mamie Road near Benson then transported his body to 939 Devil’s Racetrack Road near Four Oaks. Cox then fled the scene. Officials have not said how Mayo was killed.
Cox has prior felony convictions including 3 felonies in Sampson County for possession of methamphetamine precursor (2013), possession of pseudoephedrine with a prior meth precursor conviction (2017), and possession of cocaine (2019).
Cox was located a short time after Mayo’s body was discovered and arrested by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office. Cox remains in the Johnston County Jail without bond.
A trial date has not been set.
