DUPLIN STING LANDS JAIL EMPLOYEE BEHIND BARS

KENANSVILLE - The Duplin County Sheriff's Office arrested one of their
own earlier this week in a sting operation inside the county jail.
Charged with providing drugs to an inmate, and willful failure to
discharge his duties, 22-year-old Kenneth Wayne Kentrolis of 290 Hall
Pond Road, Rose Hill was arrested and taken in to custody. Bond was
set at $20,000.

Sheriff Blake Wallace has said that Kentrolis is accused of sneaking
marijuana inside the Duplin County jail to an inmate. The substances
are believed to have been provided by a family member of the inmate.
According to the Sheriff, Kentrolis was asked to give envelopes with
illegal drugs to Gregory Chapman, sitting behind bars. Kentrolis was
not paid for his illegal activity, said Wallace, nor were sexual
favors used as motivation. The investigation is ongoing with
additional charges anticipated.

"We received information on the 27th that possibly a jailer,
Kentrolis, was bringing in contraband and distributing it to inmates,"
said the Sheriff at press conference Friday. "We immediately launch an
investigation, we also contacted the SBI (State Bureau of
Investigation) and the DA (District Attorney) and made them aware of
the allegations." The Sheriff added that the Onslow Sheriffs
Department was also contacted and provided assistance.

A sting was setup Wednesday and when Kentrolis gave Chapman another
white envelope, the jailer was arrested.

Unbenounced to Kentrolis, he gave Chapman a counterfeit controlled
substance.

Kentrolis has been secured in the New Hanover jail, where he awaits
trial on Feb. 13, 2009. According to the Sheriff, Kentrolis stands
accused of a class H felony. If convicted, Kentrolis could face
probation. The length would be at the judges discretion.

In an effort to have the utmost transparency, the Sheriff's Office
wanted the public to know of the incident, Wallace said. "The
investigation revealed that no other employees of the jail were
involved in this activity," nor did any other employee know of the
activity, said Wallace.

Deeply disappointed and angered by the allegations, the Sheriff
commented, "I have a range of emotions, ... but I am confident that
the people work here are of the highest caliber and hold themselves to
a different standard than what Mr. Kentrolis obviously did." The other
jail employees, said Wallace were just as disappointed as he was.

Toward the end of his report, Wallace said he wanted the public to
know that they can still have confidence in the Sheriff's Office.