On February 1, 2023, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office received a report of the larceny of a firearm. The victim reported he had given a male subject a ride from Lassiter Mill Road to Waynick Meadow Road. The reporting person had a firearm in the floor board of his vehicle. Upon arrival on Waynick Meadow Road, the passenger told the driver that someone was breaking into his father’s house and asked the driver to take him there. Upon arrival at that location, the passenger asked to borrow the firearm in case he encountered the intruder; the driver allowed him to take the firearm. The passenger exited the vehicle, walked behind the house and when he returned, he got into another vehicle that apparently followed them there and left with the firearm.
During an investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division, detectives recognized the description of the suspect and his clothing matched that of the suspect’s from an incident earlier in the day from which they had developed James Paul Justin Pickett as a suspect.
On March 8, 2023, charges were sought on Pickett for felony possession of a firearm by felon, felony larceny of a firearm, and felony possession of a stolen firearm; the magistrate found probable cause to issue a warrant.
Pickett who was already confined at the Randolph County Detention Center on unrelated charges was served his warrants. The magistrate issued a $125,000 total secured bond and a first appearance was set for March 9, 2023, in Randolph County Superior Court.
Names of Defendant:
James Paul Justin Pickett
Age: 34