OAK ISLAND — As Hurricane Florence approached, Governor Roy Cooper issued mandatory evacuations for the barrier islands. Those towns also issued their own evacuations and curfews — and, as it turns out, it was probably a good idea to obey them.
At the height of the storm’s landfall, one man decided to defy the evacuation and curfew, and spent five days in jail for his defiance.
RELATED: Does your community have a curfew? What happens if you break it?
Michael Stephen Schoch, 33, was arrested around 4 a.m. on Sept. 14, as Hurricane Florence was passing over the coast of North Carolina. According to Oak Island Police Chief Greg Jordan, Schoch “was arrested for a curfew violation. He had been warned earlier by other officers but decided not the heed the warning.”
According to the Oak Island Police Department incident report, Schoch – whose identification lists his residence as Glen Ridge, New Jersey – was detained as part of an investigation into a suspicious vehicle in the area. Schoch was found with alcohol in his possession – a further curfew violation – near the Ninth Place East Beach Access, just meters from the Atlantic Ocean that was surging onto the shore.
“Schoch was informed of the violation of Town of Oak Island curfew that had been set due to the State of Emergency for Hurricane Florence. Schoch appeared to be intoxicated and was found in possession of alcoholic beverages. Schoch became aggressive towards other officers who had responded to the scene as well and cursed using the following words numerous times towards officers,” the report states, going on to list the particular profanities Schoch elected to use.
Most municipal and county law enforcement used curfews as a way to remind people to stay off the roads, according to local officials, but arrests can be made. In Schoch’s case, a polite conversation apparently seemed out of the question.
“Schoch was transported to the Oak Island Police Department for processing. Schoch was [then] transported to the Brunswick County Detention Center where he sat before Magistrate [Nicole] Hewett and received a secured bond of $500. Schoch was released to Brunswick County Detention Staff at that time,” the report concludes.
According to Brunswick County court records, Schoch was charged with a misdemeanor “intoxicated and disruptive” offense, as well as under North Carolina general statute “14-288.12” which was repealed and reorganized in 2012 by the state’s Emergency Management Act. The state’s new emergency powers statute does allow municipalities and counties to prohibit “the possession, transportation, sale, purchase, and consumption of alcoholic beverages.”
Schoch remained in Brunswick County jail until Sept. 19, five days later. Despite the relatively low bond, it is possible that widespread evacuations made it difficult for Schoch to either secure $500 or the services of a bail bondsman.
Schoch’s court date has been delayed by the storm. The Brunswick County Courts reopened today; pending cases are still being rescheduled.
Send comments and tips to Benjamin Schachtman at ben@localvoicemedia.com, @pcdben on Twitter, and (910) 538-2001.
