WHITEVILLE, NC — A convicted felon is behind bars with no bond following a traffic checkpoint operation by the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office H.E.A.T. Team.
On September 23, 2026, members of the Special Operations Division set up a North Carolina Chapter 20 checking station at the intersection of Pine Log Road and Legion Drive in Whiteville. Deputies stopped a Toyota driven by Jaesean Freeman, 23, of Whiteville.
When Freeman was unable to produce a valid driver’s license, deputies instructed him to pull over to the shoulder. However, while deputies were running his information, Freeman drove off, heading down Legion Drive.
Deputies located and detained Freeman shortly after in a driveway off Pinewood Drive. A Columbus County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit was requested to the scene, and after the dog gave a positive alert, deputies searched the vehicle and discovered a concealed handgun.
Deputies confirmed Freeman’s license was suspended and that he is a convicted felon.
Freeman was arrested and transported to the Columbus County Law Enforcement Center. He faces the following charges:
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Possession of Firearm by Felon
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Carrying Concealed Weapon
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Fail to Heed Light or Siren
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Driving While License Revoked (Not Impaired)
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Failure to Carry Valid Driver’s License
Freeman was issued no bond.
All individuals named in this report are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Charges and case statuses may change as investigations and court proceedings continue.
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