ROCKINGHAM — A homeless man held in contempt of court on Aug. 7 is accused of breaking into a building being renovated the following day.
Court documents allege that 44-year-old Christopher Dale Stoner “wrongfully” entered the former Food King property on Aug. 8. He also allegedly backed away and pulled away from a Rockingham Police officer who was investigating a breaking and entering.
Stoner was arrested and charged with one misdemeanor count each of breaking and entering and resisting a public officer. He was held on a $500 secured bond. It appears he has been released on bail.
Records show Stoner was given a court-appointed attorney on Aug. 11 and his next court appearance is Aug. 21.
Stoner was in court on Aug. 7, appearing on a charge of first-degree trespassing from July 21 for allegedly entering and remaining on the property of Phil’s Auto on Maner Road.
According to a criminal contempt order from District Court Judge Chevonne Wallace, Stoner began yelling and cussing loudly, “used the phrase ‘don't give a damn’ as he stomped towards the back of court.”
The judge reportedly tried to calm Stoner several times.
“When the Court informed the defendant he was facing contempt and why the defendant said he ‘did not realize’ he was cussing but did apologize,” reads the end of the description on the order.
Stoner was temporarily confined at the Richmond County Jail.
His next court appearance for the trespassing charge is Sept. 11.
Court records show Stoner has pending traffic citations from July 11. Those records show he had an address on Robinson Street in Rockingham.
Stoner is also named as the complainant in a 2024 case against Jon Owens, also listed as homeless, who is charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon.
Records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction show Stoner was first convicted in 2001 of driving while license revoked and having improper vehicle equipment in Montgomery County.
In 2008, Stoner was convicted in Moore County on a felony charge of larceny by a servant or employee. Stoner was convicted in 2020 on two counts of larceny of a motor vehicle in Richmond County.
His most recent conviction was in 2021 for second-degree trespassing in Moore County.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
