Former WCTI photographer Eugene Shelton found guilty

WCTI former photographer Eugene Shelton is facing trial right now at the Onslow County Courthouse.

Shelton plead not guilty to leaking information and resist obstruction and delay of a deputee.

Captain Rick Sutherland with the Onslow County Sheriffs Department says Shelton tipped off the manager of Club Mickeys before a May 3 raid.  The media was invited to cover the raid.

Captain Sutherland is now testifying on the stand.  Sutherland says through interviews with several reporters and deputies he discovered that several witnesses heard Shelton say he couldn’t cover the event.

Sutherland says the media was told not to use their cell phones and not to publish anything until after the raid at Club Mickeys.

While on the stand, Sutherland read three text messages from Sheltons cell phone record. Sutherland said one of the text messages was sent to Jason Howard, the manager of Club Mickeys and read, “Its you man. On the way to you Mickeys. Clean up now. “

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Sgt Robert Ides is now testifying. Ides says the sheriffs department had received a lot of complaints about Club Mickeys from people in the community. 

Sgt Ides says through prior investigation they knew Club Mickeys was serving liquor without a liscense. Prostitution and violence were also taking place at the club
Sgt Ides says they can’t currently locate Jason Howard, the manager of club Mickeys.

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Chelsea Donovan a WITN reporter is now testifying. The reporter confirms that the 0nslow County Sheriffs department began the briefing at 3am and that both Sheriff Brown and Sgt Ides told everyone not to use their cell phones.

Nine On Your Side’s Laura Vesco covered the raid on May 3. Donovan told the courtroom that Laura Vesco, WCTI reporter Heather Ford and Donovan sat together during the briefing. Ford told Donovan and Vesco that Shelton was late.

Donavan says Shelton came in late and sat beside Vesco. Donovan says her and Vesco noticed Shelton texting. While she recalls Shelton constantly using his phone during work, Donovan says Vesco and herself became worried he was tipping someone off. Donovan says they didn’t approach Sheriff Brown about it because once they got to the raid everything seemed okay. 

Donovan also stated that Vesco saw Shelton and Ford arguing.

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The Judge found Eugene Shelton guilty.  He was sentenced to $120 court cost, $250 fine and 72 hours of community service that is to be completed within 120 days.