Whiteville police officer indicted on simple assault, obstruction charges

WHITEVILLE, NC (WECT) - A police officer for the Whiteville Police Department has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of simple assault, obstruction of justice and willful failure to discharge duties.

Columbus County District Attorney Jon David confirmed the indictment Wednesday afternoon. David said in an abundance of caution, he referred the issue to an independent prosecutor out of New Hanover County to make the charging decision.

Court documents show Sgt. Aaron Herring is charged with assault by striking Juwarn Britt in the face.

In March, we reported that Britt filed a federal complaint against Herring and another Whiteville officer, Jeff Singletary, claiming that Herring assaulted him in the back of a patrol car. At the time, a city spokesperson confirmed the matter was under investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation.

Herring was booked Wednesday afternoon and given a $25,000 bond, according to jail records. The obstruction of justice charge is a felony and the assault and willful failure to discharge duties are misdemeanors.

Whiteville Police Chief Jeff Rosier said Herring has been placed on non-disciplinary paid administrative leave until the conclusion of the trial and administrative investigation.

He has no prior disciplinary actions taken against him in his time with the Whiteville Police Department.

Herring is scheduled to appear in court on November 16.

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