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SCC receives cybersecurity grant

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Sandhills Community College has been named a recipient of the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) and has been awarded $192,325 to significantly strengthen its cybersecurity posture and support the development of sustainable governance practices across its IT infrastructure.

“Through this grant, we will be able to support a full-time security analyst position whose role will be instrumental in implementing proactive threat detection and response strategies,” said Jonathan McLeod, CIO for the college, in a news release, who was instrumental in writing the grant. “We will also be able to engage professional services to formalize IT policies and procedures aligned with national standards such as NIST, CIS, and FERPA.”

The SLCGP is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, specifically administered through two of its agencies: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. These agencies jointly manage the program to help state, local, tribal, and territorial governments strengthen their cybersecurity capabilities and reduce systemic cyber risks.

“The college is committed to maintaining the Security Analyst role beyond the grant period, starting in 2028 and continuing to refine its cybersecurity framework,” said the college. “This investment will help reduce incidents, improve audit readiness, and ensure compliance with evolving standards.”

Learn more about Sandhills Community College at www.sandhills.edu.

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2 arrested in ‘Felony Lane Gang’ case targeting cars at gyms

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Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.

According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen. 

“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”

Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.

Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.

Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.

All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.

Via Aberdeen Police Department.

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Three facing charges after Aberdeen drug search

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Three people were arrested Thursday after Moore County Sheriff’s Office investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of Bell Fork Road in the Heflin Mobile Home Park in Aberdeen.

Detectives conducted the search on Nov. 13 and seized suspected cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, multiple items of drug and marijuana paraphernalia, thirteen firearms, and more than $2,800 in cash.

Investigators arrested Jose Sanchez, 26, of Aberdeen, and charged him with felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance; possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine; felony possession of cocaine; possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; felony possession of marijuana; two counts of maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances; and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Moore County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.

Tabitha Sanchez, 56, of Aberdeen, was charged with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was held at the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and is also scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.

Brandy Grice, 50, of Aberdeen, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was committed to the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and has the same Dec. 10 district court date.

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

Via Moore County Sheriff’s Office.

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Two arrested in multi-county ‘Felony Lane Gang’ case targeting cars at gyms

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Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.

According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen. 

“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”

Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.

Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.

Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.

All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.

Via Aberdeen Police Department.

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