Deputies in three counties conduct probe leading to arrest of correctional officer on drug charges

A correctional officer and a man, both Sanford area residents, are facing illegal drug-related charges as a result of a probe by the sheriff’s offices in Nash County, Edgecombe County and Lee County. Narcotics agents confiscated more than five pounds of cocaine and multiple firearms in the probe.

Kendrick Womble, an employee of the N.C. Department of Adult Correction, was arrested after a traffic stop for speeding shortly after 8 a.m. July 9 on U.S. 1 northeast of Sanford, the Nash County Sheriff’s Office said in a recent news release. The 52-year-old correctional officer was stopped for speeding, and deputies allege that he had 2.2 pounds of cocaine, along with a firearm and a badge in his possession.

A warrant was obtained to search Womble’s residence and Gregory Baker, 47, was found there, the news release said. Deputies allege that a search of the property resulted in the discovery of 3.3 pounds of cocaine, multiple firearms and about $13,000 in cash, the news release said.

Charges against Womble includes three counts of trafficking in cocaine and two counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance.

Charges against Baker includes trafficking in cocaine by possession and possession with intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance.

A secured bond was set at $300,000 for Womble, and a secured bond was set at $100,000 for Baker. The two were released when their bonds were posted.

Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone, in a phone interview late last week, said it is sad to see a person who pursued a career in public safety apparently violated the law.

“These penalties should be harsher on a person that has a badge and a gun and is out here posturing to be in law enforcement and corrections — and then they’re putting these poisons in the street,” Stone said.

Edgecombe County Sheriff Clee Atkinson called the incident “heartbreaking” in an interview Sunday.

“Anytime we see things like that, it puts a stain on what we do in our profession,” Atkinson said.