NEW HANOVER COUNTY — A former sheriff’s deputy investigated by the State Bureau of Investigation will not face criminal charges, according to the district attorney’s office.
Sheriff Deputy Dennis McCall was accused of misconduct and harassment while investigating a domestic violence case last fall. An anonymous victim came forward in February to detail her experience to Port City Daily and filed a complaint with law enforcement, which was turned over by the sheriff’s and district attorney office to the SBI.
READ MORE: DV survivor claims fired NHCSO detective exploited her during abuse case investigation
Spokesperson Samantha Dooies said the office has reviewed the state bureau’s findings and discussed the “strengths and weaknesses of the evidence” against McCall, who was terminated from the sheriff’s office on Feb. 11.
“We have determined that charges should not be filed at this time. However, if we believe that new evidence comes to light that strengthens the case, we will reconsider,” Dooies wrote in a statement to Port City Daily.
The woman, who went by the pen name Brianna B., alleged McCall abused his power and took advantage of her, by inappropriately texting — even after he was removed from her case — and making unwanted advances. Specifically, Brianna B. claimed the detective grabbed her phone from her hands without asking and perused intimate photos of her, as well as unbuttoned her bed jacket and touched her breast while trying to collect evidence at her home.
Brianna B. said she spoke with the district attorney’s office Monday about the SBI’s findings and the choice for the DA to not pursue charges.
“They basically said it was too much ‘he said, she said,’” she relayed to Port City Daily.
According to Brianna B., the DA’s office told her McCall recounted the bed sweater incident differently. He indicated it was falling off her shoulder, so he asked her if he could adjust it, and did so upon receiving an affirmative response. She disagreed it played out in that manner.
“And if it was [falling], I have two working hands, 10 working fingers,” she said, indicating she could pull up her own sweater.
McCall could not be reached as part of Port City Daily’s original report regarding his termination and Brianna B.’s allegations. Chad Flowers, public information officer with the SBI, said the contents of the investigation could not be shared; however, the case against McCall was formally out of the SBI’s hands after the results were submitted to the DA.
Brianna B. said she expected the outcome but was upset McCall won’t face further repercussions.
McCall was terminated by the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office after he had received a demotion for breaking office policies in personal conduct, conduct unbecoming/improper conduct, abuse of position, and misuse of agency equipment/resources. He was demoted last fall from detective to deputy and served as an SRO for Pine Valley Elementary before being let go earlier this year for continuing to break the same policies.
“I just think he needs to be locked up,” Brianna B. said, rather than see McCall hired by another law enforcement agency. “He’s abusing people who are already abused. It’s an eye for an eye, in my opinion.”
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