Wanted Fugitive Apprehended

On 4/7/2026, the Tri-City Violent Crimes Task Force was able to determine the location of a wanted fugitive, Christopher Warren Antonio Ledbetter a/k/a Tio. Ledbetter has a significant criminal history, including past convictions for Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill, and multiple instances of resisting arrest. Ledbetter was wanted for failing to appear on 3 counts of Narcotics Trafficking, Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance, Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substances, and resisting arrest in January of 2026. Since his failure to appear, the Tri-City Violent Crimes Task Force had received information about his continued narcotics sales. The investigation into Ledbetter’s whereabouts uncovered that Ledbetter was utilizing a residence located at 175 Woodburn Dr in Forest City, NC, to evade law enforcement.

Officers with the Tri-City Violent Crimes Task Force were able to establish surveillance on the residence and witnessed a vehicle leave. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle to establish if Ledbetter was an occupant. As the traffic stop was being conducted, Ledbetter fled from 175 Woodburn Dr in Forest City, NC on foot, prompting a foot pursuit. During the foot pursuit, Ledbetter attempted to evade law enforcement by jumping multiple fence lines separating neighboring properties. As Ledbetter attempted to jump a fence, an altercation occurred between him and a law enforcement officer, resulting in Ledbetter striking the officer with his fist. Ledbetter managed to break free from the officer’s hold and keep running. Despite being fleet of foot, Ledbetter was not able to evade responding officers and attempted to hide under a porch of a nearby residence, where he also attempted to conceal several baggies of powdered fentanyl. Ledbetter's attempts to hide himself and the narcotics were unsuccessful, resulting in his safe apprehension by officers.

A search warrant was then applied for and granted for the residence of 175 Woodburn Dr to determine if any narcotics had been abandoned by Ledbetter. During the search, a small amount of methamphetamine was located in the same area where Ledbetter was observed before his flight from officers.

Due to his actions, Ledbetter was also charged with the following charges, in addition to his already outstanding orders for arrest:

-Assault on a Government Official

-Resist/Obstruct/Delay

-Possession of Fentanyl

-Possession of Methamphetamine

-Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substances