Robert Terry Wade III, a 71-year-old investigator, hired by a local North Carolina law firm arrived to Sheriff Tracey Carter’s home to serve a civil subpoena. It appeared no one was home, so the investigator proceeded to leave.
Sheriff Carter then came out the home and blocked the investigator’s car from leaving. Soon Carter’s deputies arrived and arrested the investigator for trespassing.
Wade’s attorney argued that the arrest was an obvious ploy by Carter to avoid the subpoena according to Steve Murray.
Judge Terrence Boyle approved a restraining order against Sheriff Carter and the Sheriff’s Office.
“Police are already under scrutiny today, so you would think any misbehaving would be out of the question,” said Kieran Shanahan, the attorney representing the investigator.
The investigator was trying to serve Sheriff Carter for an 2009 excessive force lawsuit, filed by Steven “Wayne” Thomas.
Thomas claims he was assaulted, tasered, and suffered a broken jaw by Carter and his deputies.
The lawsuit is scheduled for trial in June.
