FORMER ROBESON SHERIFF SUED

LUMBERTON -- Former Robeson County Sheriff Glenn Maynor is being sued
by a South Carolina man who alleges that Maynor failed to properly
supervise deputies who were involved in robberies.

Clifton Blackstock has filed a civil lawsuit in U.S. District Court
against Maynor and former deputies Patrick Ferguson and Vincent
Sinclair. He accused the men of violating his civil rights. Also named
in the lawsuit are Sheriff Kenneth Sealey and Robeson County.

According to the lawsuit, Blackstock was in Georgetown, S.C., on April
7, 2004, when he was stopped by what appeared to be police. He alleges
that Ferguson and Sinclair gave several men law enforcement badges and
a siren or blue light for the purpose of robbing him, the lawsuit
says. Blackstock says he was shot in the face during the robbery. He
says he has suffered permanent injury, scarring, pain and suffering
and mental anguish. He also incurred thousands of dollars in medical
expenses, the lawsuit says. Blackstock says that Ferguson and Sinclair
conspired with the men. By doing so, they "neglected and acted
corruptly in the performance of their duties in violation of their
oaths as deputies" and "acted outside the scope of their lawful
authority." "Defendants Patrick Ferguson and Vincent Sinclair had
willfully, intentionally, and corruptly engaged in the practice of
using their office of deputy sheriff to engage in the robbery,
kidnapping, and abuse of citizens within and outside of Robeson
County," the lawsuit says. A spokesman with the U.S. Attorney Office
would not confirm or deny whether Ferguson and Sinclair were charged
in the Blackstock case. Ferguson pleaded guilty in August 2006 to
conspiring to kidnap two suspected drug dealers in Virginia. He could
receive a maximum sentence of life in prison. Sinclair pleaded guilty
in February to conspiring to kidnap two Virginia drug dealers and to
beating and robbing a St. Pauls man of $150,000 and 2 kilograms of
cocaine. Sinclair faces a maximum of two life prison terms. He is
being held in prison until his sentencing.

Maynor and William Hill, the lawyer for the county, declined to
comment. On Aug. 22, the court denied the county's motion to dismiss.
The lawsuit says Maynor should have been aware, or was aware, of the
criminal conduct by Ferguson and Sinclair.

Blackstock alleges that Maynor neglected or engaged in misconduct in
the performance of his duty as sheriff.

Blackstock also alleges that the county is liable for the misconduct
of its employees, according to the lawsuit.

Blackstock is seeking in excess of $10,000 from Ferguson and Sinclair
for pain and suffering, permanent injury and medical expenses. He is
seeking the same amount from Maynor, Sealey and the county.