# Kernersville Police Department — Complete Misconduct Pattern

## Documented Incidents (2012-2026)

### 1. Chief Kenneth Gamble — Crashes Into Detained Suspects (2012)
**Source:** WXII12 News (Sep 18, 2012); JournalNow
**Detail:** Chief Kenneth Gamble was cited for failure to reduce speed after crashing into two detained suspects (Brian Pegram, 29, and Anthony Sides, 33) on Business 40. He was responding as backup when he hit them. Both suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Gamble was fined and required to complete a Precision Driving Course.
**Lawsuit:** The Town of Kernersville **paid $50,000 to settle a lawsuit** arising from this incident (JournalNow: "Kernersville paying $50K in suit over ex-chief's cruiser striking man in 2012").

### 2. Evidence Room Theft Scandal (2014)
**Source:** WXII12 News (Apr 2, 2014)
**Detail:** A former KPD evidence technician was charged with **314 felony counts** for stealing approximately $9,800 from the police evidence room. This demonstrates systemic issues with evidence handling and custody at KPD.

### 3. Illegal Seizure Lawsuit — $30,000 Settlement (2016)
**Source:** WXII12 News (Apr 19, 2016); U.S. District Court
**Detail:** A Surry County couple (Teresa Blackburn and Adrian Martinez-Perez) sued KPD after five officers **illegally seized $20,000 in cash**, threw the husband to the ground, and kicked him multiple times. U.S. District Judge **Loretta Biggs** ruled that the officers **violated the couple's constitutional rights** and had **no proof of illegal drug activity**. KPD **settled for $30,000** plus attorney fees.

### 4. CBD Illegal Seizure — Det. J.N. Smith (~2020)
**Source:** YES! Weekly investigative report
**Detail:** Detective J.N. Smith of KPD entered AAA Quick Mart and seized legal hemp/CBD products without a warrant, without consent, and without any legal basis. The AOC CR-206 form had no boxes checked. The ALE (Alcohol Law Enforcement) publicly contradicted KPD's claim that it was an ALE operation. Captain Kevin Clodfelter admitted: *"I don't know that [it] is illegal."* Bob Crumley (author of NC's hemp law) offered free training to KPD on distinguishing hemp from marijuana.

### 5. McAchran Case (2026)
**Detail:** Invalid search warrant based on uncorroborated hearsay, scope violation (living room → master bedroom), involuntary consent ("not being arrested"), charges filed after victim exonerated defendant.

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## KPD Leadership Timeline

| Chief | Tenure | Reason for Departure |
|-------|--------|---------------------|
| Neal Stockton | Until ~2009 | Resigned |
| Kenneth Gamble | ~2009-2013 | Resigned — "incompatible leadership style" after being placed on administrative leave |
| Scott Cunningham | ~2013-2017 | Retired |
| Tim Summers | ~2017-2023 | Unknown |
| **Jason Tilley** | **2023-present** | **Current Chief** |

### Current Chief: Jason Tilley
- Started law enforcement career in 2003 (Winston-Salem PD)
- Joined KPD in 2004
- Served as sergeant, lieutenant, captain
- Lead firearms instructor and SWAT team leader
- Holds BS in Criminal Justice from American Military University
- Appointed May 2023

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## Current KPD Command Staff (As of 2026)

| Name | Role | Notes |
|------|------|-------|
| **Chief Jason Tilley** | Chief of Police | Appointed May 2023 |
| **Captain Kevin Clodfelter** | Investigative & Technical Services Bureau | Admitted uncertainty about cannabis/hemp laws |
| **Det. C.T. Inman** | Detective | Affiant on McAchran warrant |
| **Det. J.N. Smith** | Detective | Seized legal CBD without warrant |
| **Det./TFO David M. Brown** | Task Force Officer | FBI Task Force |
| **Officer C.E. Martin** | Officer | Filed charges after victim exonerated McAchran |
| **Officer Sean Houle** | Officer | Shot in line of duty Feb 2024; retired |

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## Monell Claim — Pattern Evidence Summary

| # | Incident | Year | Legal Significance |
|---|----------|------|-------------------|
| 1 | Chief Gamble crashes into suspects | 2012 | Leadership misconduct |
| 2 | Evidence room theft (314 counts) | 2014 | Evidence handling failures |
| 3 | **Lawsuit settlement — illegal seizure** | **2016** | **Constitutional violation + settlement = pattern** |
| 4 | CBD illegal seizure | ~2020 | Pattern of improper cannabis seizures |
| 5 | McAchran — invalid warrant | 2026 | Latest pattern example |

**Citation:** *Monell v. Dept. of Social Services*, 436 U.S. 658 (1978); *City of Canton v. Harris*, 489 U.S. 378 (1989)