By Miles Layton

I’m not a big fan of court/cops news because it shows a side of humanity that maybe needs a Sunday’s sermon, be it a fire and brimstone lesson from the Old Testament or a Gospel reading that inspires hope and redemption from the New Testament.

That said, here are a few cases that have caught my eye and perhaps deserve an update: Ralph and Leslee Casbarro, Aaron Coston, Brian Rountree, William Tutwiler Jr. and Robert M. Dolan, also the latest Edenton Police and Perquimans Sheriff’s arrests.  

Edenton couple convicted, appeal after gun-pointing, trespassing charges

EDENTON — An Edenton man was acquitted of pointing a handgun another Edenton resident during an incident on South Oakum Street, but convicted of resisting a police officer, while his wife was found guilty of communicating threats and trespassing, following a bench trial in Chowan County District Court on July 21. Both defendants are appealing their convictions to Superior Court.

Ralph Casbarro and Leslee Schwartz Casbarro (identified as Leslie Schwartz Casbarro in some court documents), of South Oakum Street in Edenton, were tried before District Court Judge Jeffrey R. Moreland roughly seven weeks after their arrests stemmed from separate incidents in early June. Court documents are included at the end of this story.

According to Edenton Police reports, Cpl. Robert Russell responded at 4:15 p.m. on June 2 to a call reporting that Ralph Casbarro had pulled a gun on an Edenton resident while on South Oakum Street. A warrant charged that Casbarro “unlawfully and willfully did assault” the victim by “intentionally pointing” a black, semi-automatic handgun at him without legal justification.

Russell reported that during the investigation Casbarro refused to provide identification and tried to resist the officer while being placed in handcuffs. A magistrate’s order noted that “at the time, the officer was discharging and attempting to discharge an official duty by responding to a 911 call about someone pulling a gun.”

Casbarro was charged with assault by pointing a gun and resisting a public officer. He posted a $2,500 secured bond, and a June 9 court date was set.

Two days later, Casbarro’s wife, Leslee Schwartz Casbarro, was served with a criminal summons at 5:45 p.m. June 4, according to Edenton Police records. She was charged with three misdemeanor counts of second-degree trespass and one misdemeanor count of communicating threats. She, too, was given a June 9 court date and later waived her right to an attorney.

Court records identify the person named in Leslee Casbarro’s case as Micah Simonsen, who owns Simonsen Law Firm located next door to the Casbarro’s home on South Oakum Street. The judgment in her case bars her from Simonsen’s property or workplace and from assaulting, threatening, harassing or contacting him, and separately prohibits her from entering a disputed strip of grass near the shared property line — conditions that will remain in place unless she produces a certified survey establishing ownership. The connection suggests both cases arose from an ongoing dispute regarding the property line.

Court and police paperwork in Ralph Casbarro’s case indicates that Casbarro allegedly pointed a gun at Kalmaree Boston, a 25-year-old Edenton resident.

At the July 21 trial, Judge Moreland found Ralph Casbarro not guilty of assault by pointing a gun. However, he was convicted of resisting a public officer, a Class 2 misdemeanor. He was sentenced to 30 days in custody, suspended, and placed on 12 months of supervised probation with a condition that he not possess a firearm. He was ordered to pay $183 in court costs.

Leslee Casbarro was found guilty of communicating threats, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and second-degree trespass, a Class 3 misdemeanor. She was sentenced to 45 days in custody, suspended, and placed on 12 months of unsupervised probation. She was ordered to pay $366 in costs the same day and, in addition to the no-contact and property-access restrictions involving Simonsen, must remain within her county of residence and comply with standard probation conditions.

Both defendants gave notice of appeal from District Court to Chowan County Superior Court immediately after sentencing. Their pretrial release conditions were modified to carry over pending the appeal. Ralph Casbarro’s release conditions specify that he may not possess a firearm while his case is pending.

Assistant District Attorney Benjamin Hines Newbern prosecuted both cases. Ralph Casbarro was represented by retained attorney Christian Carol Routten. Leslee Casbarro waived her right to counsel.

Because both defendants have appealed, their cases will be heard anew — with the possibility of a jury trial — in Chowan County Superior Court.

Edenton councilman still headed to court on fraud charges

Checking to see if anything has changed for this case – Edenton Town Councilman Aaron Coston remains on track for an Aug. 31 appearance in Chowan County Superior Court on two felony counts of obtaining property by false pretenses, according to court records. There has been no update in the case beyond the scheduled hearing.

A Chowan County grand jury indicted Coston in May on the two felony counts. According to the indictment, Coston allegedly impersonated a man named Kyrese Phelps to fraudulently obtain a $6,000 loan from State Employees’ Credit Union.

Court records show the case was opened by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation in January 2025. Coston was ultimately charged with two felony counts of obtaining property by false pretenses and one felony count of identity theft.

Coston was arrested in May, shortly before he attended a Town Council meeting. He posted a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Chowan County Superior Court on Aug. 31.

Despite the headline, I’m not afraid to say that I know and respect Councilman Coston, so without addressing his guilt or innocence which the court will determine, I’ll repeat this statement from Town Hall from the original article in May regarding the charges.  

“These are serious offenses. With due respect for law enforcement and our judicial system, Councilman Coston is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence.

“The citizens of Edenton rightly expect honesty and transparency. However, further comment during the pendency of this matter would be inappropriate.

“The Town of Edenton will continue its work on behalf of the citizens we serve, and we ask the community to be patient and allow the legal process to proceed to a conclusion.”

Gates County commissioner reaches deferred prosecution agreement on threats charge

GATES COUNTY — Gates County Commissioner Brian Rountree has resolved a misdemeanor communicating threats charge through a deferred prosecution agreement, according to court documents filed July 27 in Gates County District Court.

The charge stemmed from an April 28 phone call in which Rountree allegedly called his uncle, Marvin Lassiter Jr., a “punk” and threatened to go to Lassiter’s Sunbury home to physically assault him, according to court records.

Under the agreement approved by District Court Judge Meader Harriss III, prosecution will be deferred for six months of unsupervised probation, provided Rountree demonstrates good conduct. As a special condition, Rountree is barred from contacting Lassiter, directly or indirectly. He was also ordered to pay $183 in court costs.

Court records show Rountree, under oath, affirmed he had not previously been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude and had not previously been placed on probation. The agreement states he is “unlikely to commit another offense other than a Class 3 misdemeanor.”

If Rountree complies with the terms of the agreement, prosecutors will dismiss the charge. Thomas Jones represented the state, and Thomas Wood represented Rountree.

Rountree is a stand-up guy and a respectable public servant, so I don’t think he’ll be out and about committing “moral turpitude” – a legal phrase that I hope to make into a catchprase like “6-7”…

Gates County emergency management director’s trial for child rape charge set for Sept. 21 after eight delays

GATES COUNTY — Just checking in on this ongoing case – Back in 2024, William Mervil Tutwiler Jr., director of Gates County Emergency Management, was arrested and charged with felony first-degree statutory rape of a child under the age of 13. His trial has been rescheduled eight times — jury trial scheduled for Sept. 21. Moving and rescheduling court cases is common the court system.

Incident is alleged to have happened in 2020 – Tutwiler turned himself in to the Currituck County Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 22, 2024, and was held under a $250,000 secured bond.

Alleged victim’s name is included with the court files, so we’re not posting the file. That said, for folks who want to check the receipts regarding this case, go to the NC Judicial branch’s website — do your own search on the state court document portal.

Columbia man held on $1M bond after kidnapping, drug charges

Robert Matthew Dolan, 39, of Columbia, is being held on $1 million bond following a string of drug arrests by Tyrrell County sheriff’s deputies that led to first-degree kidnapping charges.

Deputies first stopped Dolan for speeding on US 64 on Friday, Aug. 7, finding 0.9 grams of methamphetamine and paraphernalia. He was released on unsecured bond.

The next day, Aug. 8, deputies stopped Dolan again after he ran a stop sign at Travis Road and Chapel Hill Road. This time they found 4.4 grams of amphetamine and an apparent kidnapping victim — an adult woman. Det. Tony Keech said interviews convinced deputies she was held against her will through “fear and intimidation.”

Dolan was charged with kidnapping and held on $50,000 bond at Dare County Detention Center. A search warrant executed the following day, Aug. 9, at his residence in a local boarding house turned up an additional 4.2 grams of amphetamine, prompting a third round of drug charges.

In total, Dolan faces first-degree kidnapping, three felony counts of drug possession with intent to deliver, and additional charges including dealing drugs near schools or parks, using a vehicle or home to sell drugs, and possession of paraphernalia.

District Judge Darrell Cayton Jr. raised Dolan’s bond to $1 million cash, citing his history of domestic violence and “substantial ties” outside North Carolina. Authorities say Dolan moved to North Carolina from New Jersey more than five years ago.

Court documents allege Dolan confined the victim, took her between locations, and held her in involuntary servitude. For folks who want to check the receipts, go to the NC Judicial branch’s website — search here.

Edenton Police

At 4:01 p.m. Aug. 11, 2026, Edenton Police responded to a West Queen Street to a report of larceny. According to the report, someone took a North Carolina registration plate.

At 4:36 p.m. Aug. 13, 2026, Edenton Police conducted a traffic stop on East Gale Street. During the traffic stop, officers arrested and charged James Conran, 42, with possession of a firearm by a felon (a felony) and carrying a concealed weapon (a misdemeanor).

Perquimans County Sheriff’s Office

Steaven Reid, of Hertford, was charged on Aug. 5, 2026, with second-degree trespassing. Reid was placed on a 48-hour hold.

Cornyeah Lindsey, of Wynne Fork Court, Hertford, was arrested on a criminal summons for a charge of assault and battery.

Tracey Gerth, of Wildwood Trail, Hertford, was charged with a domestic violence protection order violation. No bond was set.

Junius Cofield, of Lynnhaven Drive, Edenton, was arrested on Aug. 8, 2026, on a charge of reckless driving and wanton disregard. Cofield was placed on a 48-hour hold.

Jared Winslow, of Bembury Road, Hertford, was arrested on Aug. 9, 2026, on a charge of driving while intoxicated, carrying a concealed handgun, possession of an open container of alcohol and no lights on a parked vehicle. A $1,500 secured bond was set.

Joshua Russell, of Dobbs Street, Hertford, was arrested on Aug. 12, 2026, on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Russell was placed on a 48-hour hold.

Michael Goins, of West Carteret Street, Edenton, was arrested on Aug. 13, 2026, on a charge of possession of firearm by a felon, resisting, obstructing and delaying an officer, littering and possession of a stolen firearm. No bond was set.

Casbarros’ documents

Rountree Case

Coston Case