The Hoke County Sheriff’s Office announces on August 29, 2025, the Narcotic/Vice Suppression Unit (NVSU), Special Response Team, and US Marshalls apprehended Mr. Michael LaShawn Locklear who was a fugitive from justice. Mr. Locklear had outstanding warrants from Raeford Police Department for multiple counts of trafficking Schedule I and Schedule II controlled substances, possess with intent to sell/deliver marijuana, and possession of firearm by convicted felon.
Prior to the arrest warrants, the NVSU had been conducting a seven-month long narcotic investigation of Mr. Locklear regarding the sell and delivery of illegal narcotics. During the investigation the NVSU was purchasing suspected methamphetamine from Mr. Locklear. While this investigation was taking place, Mr. Locklear jumped and ran from city officers during multiple traffic stops.
While getting Mr. Locklear in custody at a residence in the 200 block of Declaration Drive, suspected cocaine was located in plain view. The residence was locked down and the NVSU obtained a narcotic search warrant for the home.
A search of the residence resulted in items of paraphernalia, marijuana, numerous firearms, assorted rounds of ammunition and bulk US currency being located. Mr. Locklear was transported to the Hoke County Detention Center.
After the search Mr. Rodrick RaShawn Locklear was charged on a citation for simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia; he was released after receiving a misdemeanor citation.
Mr. Michael Locklear was served his outstanding warrants by Raeford Police Department. The Hoke County Sheriff’s Office NVSU took out additional charges for two counts of the selling and delivery of methamphetamine.
Mr. Cory Thomas McLaughlin, who was already in-custody at the Hoke County Detention Center for unrelated charges and a co-conspirator with Mr. Locklear, was also served warrants obtained by the NVSU for the sell/delivery of cocaine and conspiracy to sell/deliver methamphetamine.
Mr. Locklear received a secured bond of $500,000.00 for all of the outstanding charges from the city of Raeford and an additional secured bond of $3,000.00 for the new charges related to the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. McLaughlin received no bond due to unrelated pending charges.
The Hoke County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank The U.S. Marshalls for their assistance with the apprehension of Mr. Locklear. The investigation is still on-going.