Agents with the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) have completed their investigation into a former vice and narcotics lieutenant who was fired from the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office for alleged violations of the sheriff’s office internal rules and policies last month.
Joseph A. LeBlanc, 41, was fired from the sheriff’s office June 11, following an internal investigation into the alleged violations, New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon said.
At the time of his termination, LeBlanc was assistant division commander of the vice and narcotics unit.
SBI Spokeswoman Noelle Tally on Tuesday said the SBI completed the investigation and the case is now being reviewed by special prosecutors with the N.C. Attorney General’s Office at the request of District Attorney Ben David.
According to the disciplinary action charge sheet provided by the sheriff’s office, LeBlanc violated standard operating procedures, rules and regulations in truthfulness, evidence procedures and drug policy.
The DA’s office has already dismissed 10 cases that cannot be prosecuted because LeBlanc cannot be used as a witness, according to Samantha Dooies, David’s assistant.
“Cases will be assessed on an individual basis for whether or not we can proceed on the case based on LeBlanc’s level of involvement. If we can move forward without him we will, but if the case cannot be prosecuted it will be dismissed,” Dooies said.
At a press conference last month, David said the DA’s office worked closely with LeBlanc in many cases, and several of his senior prosecutors were interviewed by the sheriff’s office internal affairs division.
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“For that reason we are potential witnesses–not only as prosecutors, but witnesses in any future proceeding involving Lt. LeBlanc,” David said.
David said he has an “obvious conflict of interest” in the case and will search outside the region for a prosecutor to handle any potential criminal violations. David put a team in place last month to review potential cases—both pending and resolved—that could have been impacted as a result of LeBlanc’s termination.
Adrian Harris, a special prosecutor with the N.C. Attorney General’s Office, has been assinged to handle any criminal prosecution that may arise from the investigation into LeBlanc. Harris will assess the investigation and prosecute, if necessary, Dooies said.
As assistant division commander of the vice and narcotics unit, LeBlanc would have supervised many cases, McMahon said. LeBlanc was hired March 11, 1996, and earned an annual salary of $60,174.
