Fugitive from South Carolina captured in Roanoke Rapids

On Tuesday, Detective Sgt. J. Pignanello, Cpl. G. Keel, Deputy D. Williams and Deputy C. Watkins assisted the U.S. Marshal Services in the arrest of Vernon Jenkins Jr., 40, of Roanoke Rapids.

Acco- rding to a press release from Lt. C. Shane Guyant, public information officer for the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Jenkins was wanted on a warrant out of South Carolina for attempted murder, which occurred on Feb. 20. The U.S. Marshals had developed leads that Jenkins was in Roanoke Rapids. Upon arresting Jenkins, law enforcement noticed narcotics in his home. A search warrant was obtained and during the search three handguns, powder cocaine, crack cocaine, various items of drug paraphernalia, and marijuana were discovered inside the residence.

Jenkins’ girlfriend, Shanaybian Damonie Cunningham, 23, was also living at the residence at the time of the arrest. Detective Sgt. Pignanello arrested Cunningham and charged her with felony possession of cocaine, felony conspiracy to sell/deliver cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances.

Jenkins is currently being held in the Halifax County Detention Center with no bond as he awaits extradition to South Carolina. Jenkins was also charged with being a fugitive from justice, three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, felony possession of cocaine, felony possession with intent to manufacture sell/deliver cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances and simple possession of Schedule VI controlled substance.

Jenkins is a felon due to a 2001 conviction in Hudson County, New Jersey, for selling and distributing narcotics within 1,000 feet of a school. Cunningham was placed under a $5,000 bond for her charges and was jailed in the Halifax County Detention Center. They both were given a May 30 court date.