SWAN QUARTER — A high-speed pursuit that began Thursday evening near Hyde Correctional Institution ended with a crash in Belhaven and the arrest of three men on a wide range of felony and misdemeanor drug and contraband charges.
Authorities say the nature of the charges, especially the number of counts related to providing phones and other contraband to inmates, suggests an organized attempt to smuggle illicit items into the Hyde County Correctional Institution. The investigation remains ongoing, with officials continuing to examine any connections the suspects may have had with incarcerated individuals at the prison.
The incident began around 8:04 p.m. Thursday, July 17, when deputies with the Hyde County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to investigate a report of a suspicious vehicle — a black Chrysler 300 with heavily tinted windows — seen near the prison facility. While responding to the scene, deputies encountered a vehicle matching the description and attempted a traffic stop.
The driver refused to stop, initiating a high-speed pursuit that crossed into Beaufort County. The chase ended in the town of Belhaven after the fleeing vehicle lost control and crashed into a power pole, triggering a localized power outage. After the collision, the vehicle’s occupants attempted to escape on foot but were quickly apprehended by responding deputies.
Three individuals were taken into custody at the scene: Rico Antoine Bonner, Terrence Lamont O’Neal, and Travis Lamont Speight. Each now faces numerous felony and misdemeanor charges connected to drug trafficking, possession of contraband, and the alleged smuggling of electronic devices into a correctional facility.
Bonner, believed to be the driver of the vehicle, faces a total of 22 charges. Among them are two counts of felony trafficking methamphetamine, conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, possession and possession with intent to sell or deliver (PWISD) synthetic cannabinoid and Schedule VI controlled substances, and maintaining a vehicle for drug-related activity. He is also charged with 11 felony counts of providing phones or electronic devices to inmates. Bonner faces additional misdemeanor charges including reckless driving, fleeing to elude arrest, failure to heed lights or siren, driving while license revoked, and various traffic and seatbelt violations. He is being held at the Dare County Detention Center under a $500,000 secured bond.
O’Neal is charged with two counts of felony trafficking methamphetamine, conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, multiple felony drug offenses, and 11 felony counts of providing phones or electronic devices to inmates. He also faces two misdemeanor counts for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. O’Neal is also being held at the Dare County Detention Center with a $400,000 secured bond.
Speight faces charges mirroring those of O’Neal, including drug trafficking, conspiracy, drug possession, maintaining a vehicle for drug activity, and providing contraband to inmates. He is also being detained at the Dare County Detention Center on a $400,000 secured bond.
All three suspects remain in custody awaiting court proceedings.
The successful apprehension of the suspects came with assistance from the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, and Belhaven Police Department. Power was later restored to the affected area in Belhaven following emergency utility repairs.