The Sanford Police Department on Friday night issued a press release announcing an arrest for an alleged drug offense that included an unusual statement about the suspect’s bond status.
Patrick O’Neil Clegg, 40, of Sanford, faces multiple counts related to the alleged sale and distribution of heroin, according to the press release, which states that the offenses occurred in September 2019. Warrants were served on Clegg Thursday, ten months later. Agents with the department’s Tactical Narcotics Team say they seized 17.5 grams, or a little more than half an ounce, of heroin.
“The arrest was the result of an investigation that took place in September 2019. At the time Clegg was out of jail on a $200,000 secured bond for heroin trafficking charges he got in July 2019,” the release reads. “That case is also still pending.”
For the charges on which Clegg was arrested Thursday, bond was set at $500,000 unsecured, meaning Clegg was released without having to pay. If he fails to appear in court, however, Clegg will owe the $500,000.
What’s unusual about the press release is its fourth paragraph, which offers a comment about Clegg’s release. It is rare for the Sanford Police Department to offer comment on pending cases, especially with regards to the workings of the court system. The unedited paragraph from Captain R.L. Allen of the Sanford Police Department is below:
“As Captain of the Sanford Police Department drug unit I find it apprehensible [sic] that the revolving door at the courthouse lets criminals back on the street to peddle their poison when they already have multiple charges pending. Officers work hard to make arrests in order to stem the flow of Narcotics into our neighborhoods. NEWS FLASH! The Heroin they are selling is killing people on a regular basis. We have overdoses in Lee county just about every day now. Someone needs to start making common sense decisions about letting these people back out on the street. It’s frustrating for drug agents and it feels like we are spinning our wheels most of the time. We don’t do this job in vain!”
What’s the point of bail that you don’t actually pay? I don’t get the reasoning behind that and completely understand the frustration.
These guys put their lives on the line daily and put up with all kinds of abuse yet the court system might as well slap them for all their hard work. I support the BLUE. Thank you for your hard work and dedication 🌞👍🏼
Good for him…that said, he’ll shortly catch heck from upset politicians and superiors that swear there is no (and will be no) problems in Sanford….just smiling behind your mask, keep paying you taxes and act like all is well. We’ll deal with his attitude behind closed doors.
The public gets discouraged when they see stories like this. Most of us have heard the lawyer jokes and wonder when is the legal profession going to reign in their peers. Then lawyers do not understand why they are not respected. This should also include the judiciary. The judiciary is enabling criminals to do more public harm. Unfortunately, law enforcement is catching flack from all angles these days.
Glad to see Capt Allen become so frustrated with the ” Revolving Door @ Courthouse ” that he willing to speak out – I’m all about you are innocent until proven guilty but I have followed many cases in Sanford Herald involving person’s charged in the Distribution Of Heroin- Charged / Out On Bail / Re-Arrested on Heroin Charges before they make it to court on first charges And again allowed Bail / Hello ?
Can’t put my hands on article the person charged convicted and given a suspended sentence – house arrest with ankle bracelet – that upon his 2nd Re-Arrest Heroin Charges was allowed out on $20,000 bond … He should of had to go directly to jail but he didn’t ? It Prompted The Sanford Herald Article On Persons Bond Amount …
The Magistrate name / The Attorney’s name / The Judge’s name need to be published so the community knows who allowing this to Happen / just my thought’s !
I’m with the Majority American’s that believe we so fortunate to have Police Officer’s and question anyone that thinks otherwise …..
Tell that officer the same when u see him on the street – Its important with what going on in recent week’s
Happy 4th July to you’ll Tim Knowles
The judicial system, judges, lawyers, prosecutors of Sanford has the blood of their citizens on your hands. Some of you make deals behind closed doors to put these dealers back on the streets. You know whom You are! But, let it be your children who become hooked on deadly street drugs, the tables turn then. All dealers need to be off the streets! You can do better than this Sanford. The amount of drugs in such a small town should be an alarm to do better! Prosecute them to the fullest extent and keep them off the streets.
This happens all across the country, not just little ole Sanford, N.C. . It is however very discouraging for the Police Officers as well as us law abiding citizens .
But it always comes down to politics & money. The courts didn’t get the 500k unsecured because someone’s lawyer got their requested amount so they presented some loopholes in some fashion to release the criminal for the time being. That is the revolving door! Continued financial gain of justice.
The courts will never align with the departments. There is no money to be made that way.
Sad, just sad.