Thursday, March 12, 2026

Teachey man arrested for felony threats against Duplin County judge, sheriff

Matthew Lane Tart, 37, of Teachey, was arrested on Feb. 12 after allegedly using social media to threaten a Duplin County Judge and Sheriff. (Courtesy SBI)

DUPLIN COUNTY — A Teachey man is behind bars without bond after allegedly using social media to threaten a local judge and the Duplin County Sheriff.

Agents with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Coastal District arrested Matthew Lane Tart, 37, on Thursday morning. Tart faces three felony counts of making threats against executive, legislative, or court officers.

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According to the SBI, Tart made several threatening statements on social media accounts directed at a Duplin County Superior Court Judge and Sheriff Stratton Stokes, as well as staff members of the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office.

Tart was processed at the Duplin County Detention Center, where he remains held without bond. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance Friday morning.

The SBI has not released the specific nature of the social media posts or the name of the targeted judge, noting the investigation is ongoing.


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