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Randolph County Sheriff

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Seabolt’s condition improves as sheriff handles some duties

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ASHEBORO – Randolph County Sheriff Gregory Seabolt remains under medical care, but he has resumed some of his duties remotely.

“He’s doing much better,” Amanda Varner, government relations and public affairs director for the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, said Monday. “They’ve got him eating again.”

With Seabolt away, there has been a shifting of temporary duties. Col. Aundrea Azelton, chief deputy of the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, is overseeing operations.

Last week, the following statement was issued from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office via Deric Skeen on behalf of Seabolt and his family: “Sheriff Seabolt has been hospitalized with an illness after first experiencing symptoms shortly after the beginning of this year. As the Sheriff continues improving under medical supervision and treatment, Chief Deputy Azelton is overseeing the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Seabolt appreciates the continued dedication and service of all his deputies and the continued support of the citizens of Randolph County.”

Varner said she’s unable to provide the location of Seabolt’s hospitalization.

Seabolt, 60, took part in a meeting Monday morning via telephone, Varner said.

Last week, the sheriff’s office issued the following statement: “Our thoughts and prayers are with our Sheriff and the Seabolt family during his time of healing.”

Azelton is described as a long-time member of law enforcement. Varner didn’t have the specifics on Azelton’s longevity with the department.

Seabolt won re-election to his position in November. The Republican is in his second term after first winning an election for the position in 2018. Before that, he had more than 2½ decades in law enforcement with the North Carolina State Patrol.

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Joint investigation yields fentanyl, meth charges

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ARCHDALE — An investigation by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office resulted in a sizeable drug bust last week. Deputies who were part of the Vice and Narcotics Division collected “a trafficking amount” of fentanyl and methamphetamine from a Spencer Road home. Firearms and drug paraphernalia were also seized.

The haul of drugs included: 1.7 pounds of Fentanyl and nearly a pound of methamphetamine. Deputies also seized bath salts and steroids.

The investigation began at the home of Donald Robert Lynch located on Spencer Rd. in Archdale.

After Randolph County deputies executed a search warrant at the home, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a business in Bennett that was operated by Lynch.

Lynch was arrested and charged with felony possession of a firearm by a felon, trafficking in heroin, felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a scheduled II substance and several misdemeanors. He also was charged with various drug-related offenses in Chatham County.

He was initially taken to the Randolph County Jail and given a $150,000 secured bond plus electronic house arrest.

Lynch’s next court date is March 23 in Randolph County and he is scheduled for an appearance on March 30 in Chatham County District Court.

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Sheriff’s office offers citizens academy

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ASHEBORO – A chance for residents to take an up-close view of the Randolph County Sherriff’s Office is back in place.

Classes for the Sherriff’s Citizen Academy begin on March 22.

The eight sessions are described as a means to learn more about law enforcement operations and the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office internal processes. The goal is to improve law enforcement/community relations through a formalized educational process.

Department spokeswoman Amanda Varner said usually a couple of dozen residents participate in each academy. Some form of the academy has been in place since 2016, she said.

Division lieutenants and captains conduct the sessions that fall into their specialties, Varner said. Those are condensed from standard training curriculum of sheriff’s deputies.

Past participant Denise Hill offered a written endorsement of the academy.

“I attended the last session and I would recommend this academy to anyone,” Hill wrote. “You will see all the areas of our (sheriff’s) department. The sessions are enlightening and informative. You interact with the deputies each week.”

While not designed to be a recruiting tool, the academy has spawned opportunities for some participants, Varner said.

One woman who took part in the academy ended up with a job with the county’s emergency services department.

Sessions are held once a week from 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays, with most of the classes at Randolph County Emergency Services Headquarters at 760 New Century Dr., Asheboro.

According to information from the sheriff’s office, the Citizen Academy will accomplish the following:

  • Citizens will be able to make more informed judgments about the sheriff’s office and law

enforcement activities.

  • The sheriff’s office will become more aware of the feelings and concerns of the community,

as expressed by attending citizens.

  • Citizens and sheriff’s representatives will have an opportunity to explore together some of

the traditional suspicions and misconceptions generally harbored by both citizens and

sheriff’s deputies. Through open discussion of such suspicions and misconceptions, a more

harmonious climate for relationships may be established.

Participants must be age 21 or older and must not be convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor or have received a prayer for judgement for either or have pending charges. A background investigation will be conducted on applicants.

Deadline to apply is March 1. Applications can be obtained at www.randolphcountync.gov

The academy class that began in March 2020 was interrupted by the pandemic. By the time that edition of the academy ended, it was October 2021 with 16 participants making it to the end.

Varner said the sheriff’s office is planning to hold two academies each year, with the other to start this autumn.

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Baker becomes first female officer on sheriff’s Emergency Response Team

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ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office has a female on its Emergency Response Team for the first time in the unit’s history. Deputy Traci Baker completed a rigorous training-and-testing battery to join the team. The tests determined her ability serve high-risk search warrants, handle barricades and take part in other tactical exercises.

Members of the team are expected to attend advanced law enforcement training courses and become proficient with specialized equipment to deal with dangerous criminals and situations.

Deputy Traci Baker is the first female member of the Randolph County Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team. (PHOTO: Randolph County Sheriff’s Office)

Baker began her career with the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office after she completed basic law enforcement training in 2009 in the detention center in the Transportation Division. She transferred to School Based Programs as a CARE instructor in September of 2009 and then to Evidence in August of 2016. Baker was then promoted to detective in November 2018, and in January of 2019, she transferred back to School Based Programs as a CARE instructor. Deputy Baker is also the current Junior Sheriff’s Academy director.

“I am incredibly proud of Deputy Baker for her perseverance, dedication and motivation to achieve this monumental goal,” said Sheriff Greg Seabolt.

Baker also became the first female firearms instructor in 2017. She now teaches aspiring law enforcement recruits as the lead firearms instructor for Randolph Community College’s Basic Law Enforcement Training.

Baker’s path to the Emergency Response Team started in October 2020 when she competed for a spot on the team. Physical fitness testing and marksmanship were key elements of the initial competition. Current members of the team then voted to offer Deputy Baker a position. From October 2020 until May 2021, Deputy Baker worked as a probationary member. On May 6, 2021, Deputy Baker completed her mandatory probationary period and became a permanent ERT operator.  

“While she doesn’t think being a female on the Emergency Response Team makes her any different or special, Deputy Baker is glad to serve as motivation for other women in law enforcement,” said Lieutenant Eric Wilson, team commander.

“I honestly don’t even think about it because I’m not treated any differently as a female,” said Baker. “I wanted to challenge myself and become part of this team.”