Two men were arrested in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, following a parking violation that escalated to disorderly conduct. The driver, 19-year-old Jamaryon Martin-Dyon Atkins, refused to move his vehicle and began shouting profanities, while his passenger, 20-year-old Cemonye Travius Scott, interfered with the police officer’s orders. Atkins was charged with resisting a public officer and a handicap parking violation, while Scott was cited for disorderly conduct. Atkins was not granted bond due to a new law that restricts pre-trial release for certain charges. The Daily Herald reported
Roanoke Rapids Police Arrest Two Men After Parking Violation Leads to Disorderly Conduct
Roanoke Rapids police officers recently apprehended two individuals following a parking violation that escalated into disorderly conduct. The incident took place at Walgreens on Smith Church Road when Sergeant D. Newsome noticed a white Chevrolet Impala occupying a handicapped parking space.
As per the regulations set by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, parking spaces designated for drivers/owners with disabilities must be clearly marked with signs indicating the penalties for unauthorized parking. It is considered unlawful to park in these spaces without a valid disability placard or plate. Violators can face fines ranging from $100 to $250 and may even have their vehicles towed.
The driver of the Impala was identified as 19-year-old Jamaryon Martin-Dyon Atkins from Roanoke Rapids. When asked if he possessed a handicap placard, Atkins admitted to not having one and claimed he was only planning to enter the store for a brief moment. In response, Sgt. Newsome instructed Atkins to relocate his vehicle.
However, as Atkins exited the store, he began hurling profanities towards Sgt. Newsome. He then proceeded to enter his vehicle and continued shouting offensive language loudly. Sgt. Newsome requested Atkins’ driver’s license, but Atkins refused to comply. Consequently, Sgt. Newsome ordered Atkins to place his hands behind his back, but Atkins resisted the arrest.
Meanwhile, the passenger in the vehicle, 20-year-old Cemonye Travius Scott from Halifax, started recording the incident on his phone. Although Scott had the right to record the encounter, he interfered with Sgt. Newsome’s instructions to Atkins. Despite being repeatedly instructed to step back, Scott persisted in using profanity and getting closer to Sgt. Newsome. Eventually, additional officers arrived at the scene, and both Scott and Atkins were apprehended.
Scott received a citation for disorderly conduct and was subsequently released into the custody of a responsible individual at the police department. His court date is scheduled for November 17.
Atkins, on the other hand, faced charges of resisting a public officer and violating handicap parking regulations. It is worth noting that Atkins already had several pending charges in Halifax County, including obtaining property by false pretense, breaking and entering, possession of stolen property, carrying a concealed weapon, and assault on a female.
Due to a newly implemented law that went into effect on October 1, Atkins was denied bond. Under the updated legislation, SL2023-75, two main categories of defendants are affected: those charged with a violent crime and those charged with a new offense while on pre-trial release. The law stipulates that a judge, rather than a magistrate, must determine whether a person facing charges related to murder, kidnapping, rape, statutory rape, sex offenses, human trafficking, assault with a deadly weapon, discharge of firearm, burglary, arson, or robbery with a dangerous weapon can be released before their trial.
According to the press release, this law prevents magistrates from setting bonds for defendants facing the aforementioned charges. Instead, these individuals will be held for a maximum of 48 hours or until they can appear before a district court judge, whichever comes first. This rule is similar to the existing protocol for domestic violence cases. Additionally, the new law also states that if a defendant is already on pre-trial release for any criminal case and they acquire new criminal charges, the magistrate cannot set their bond until the same 48-hour window has passed. This provision applies to Atkins’ situation..