LUMBERTON, NC (WBTW) – The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests of four people – each of them on two counts of murder and two counts of kidnapping, among other charges.
The arrests followed the execution of three search warrants in the Eaglewood mobile home park at around 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday. Eaglewood is on NC Hwy. 41 east of Lumberton.
The sheriff’s office did not say what case the arrests were part of. The victims of the murder, kidnapping and conspiracy were not named. It is unclear if the arrest are related to two bodies found southwest of Fairmont on Tuesday afternoon.
According to the sheriff’s office, the following people were arrested. Each person’s charges are also listed:
Patrick Leon Gatlin, 31, of 21 Eaglewood Loop Lot 12, Lumberton, NC
- 2cts First Degree Murder
- 2cts First Degree Kidnapping
- 2cts Felony Conspiracy
- 1ct Possession of Firearm by Felon
Anitriel Livia Ray, 37, of 7611 NC Highway 41 North Lot 5, Lumberton, NC
- 2cts First Degree Murder
- 2cts First Degree Kidnapping
- 2cts Felony Conspiracy
Juwon Montael Lewis, 24, of 48 Alicia Drive, Lot 24 Eaglewood Mobile Home Park, Lumberton, NC
- 2cts First Degree Murder
- 2cts First Degree Kidnapping
- 2cts Felony Conspiracy
Tiffany Leann Smith, 22, of 48 Alicia Drive, Lot 24 Eaglewood Mobile Home Park, Lumberton, NC
- 2cts First Degree Murder
- 2cts First Degree Kidnapping
- 2cts Felony Conspiracy
The suspects were taken to the Robeson County Detention Center. As of early Thursday morning, they were awaiting a first court appearance.
According to a press release from the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office approximately 80 law enforcement officers assisted during the execution of the search warrants and arrests. The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Task Force; Robeson County Major Crimes Division; Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Agents; Robeson County Sheriff’s Office SWAT and Deputies; Lumberton Police Department SWAT and Detectives; Columbus County Sheriff’s Office SWAT; Bladen County Sheriff’s Office and North Carolina State Highway Patrol were all involved in the search warrant execution.
The sheriff’s office said there is further investigation with possibly more arrests to come. If anyone has any information on this investigation please contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Task Force at 910-671-3100.