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Richmond County Sheriff’s Office charges 2 juveniles in connection to East Rockingham homicide

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ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has filed additional charges in connection to a homicide over the weekend.

During the investigation, detectives learned that an unnamed juvenile helped the suspect, 23-year-old Thomas Owen White, avoid capture, according to a press release issued Tuesday afternoon.

White was wanted in connection with the shooting death of 18-year-old Julius Leak.

That juvenile was taken into custody and has been charged with a single count of accessory after the fact of murder.

Another unnamed juvenile is accused of attempting to destroy or steal evidence related to the case. According to the release, that defendant —  charged with altering, destroying or stealing evidence of criminal conduct  — was given juvenile petitions and released.

Four people have now been charged in this case.

White, who is accused of shooting Leak in a gravel parking lot on Church Street in East Rockingham on Feb. 5, was arrested the following day after deputies received tips on his location. He is charged with an open count of murder and is being held without bond.

Online jail records show White is also being held on a combined $40,000 secured bond for two probation violation charges. 

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Whitee is currently on probation with a 12-month suspended sentence after being convicted on April 15, 2021 of obtaining property by false pretenses and assault on an officer or state employee, according to records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction.

The sheriff’s office has also accused 54-year-old Tina Louise Tilley, of Rockingham, of taking an item believed to be “of evidentiary value.”

She is being held on a $25,000 secured bond and charged with altering, destroying or stealing evidence of criminal conduct.

All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 



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