High-Speed Pursuit Leads to Arrest, Fentanyl and Firearm Recovery

On Sunday, June 28, 2026, a Sergeant with the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office Crash Reduction Team was conducting proactive traffic enforcement on US 70 when he attempted to stop a Dodge Durango Hellcat that was speeding through traffic while traveling toward Kinston.

The driver, later identified as James Carreno-Gomez, of Grifton, failed to stop and fled at a high rate of speed. As the pursuit continued onto Hill Farm Road, Carreno-Gomez passed vehicles using the turning lane, turned off the vehicle's headlights, and disregarded multiple traffic control devices. In the 1700 block of Hill Farm Road, the vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway, striking and damaging a North Carolina state road sign and three residential mailboxes.

After the vehicle came to a stop, Carreno-Gomez exited while armed with a firearm. He discarded the firearm and attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by deputies after a short foot pursuit. During the investigation, deputies recovered a bag containing suspected pressed fentanyl pills from the vehicle.

Carreno-Gomez has been charged with the following offenses:

Felony Flee to Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle

Felony Possession of Fentanyl

Aggressive Driving

Reckless Driving

Speeding (76 mph in a 55 mph zone)

Failure to Heed Blue Light and Siren

Hit and Run – Property Damage

Resisting a Public Officer

Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign

Unsafe Passing on a Yellow Line

Additional firearm-related charges are pending.

Carreno-Gomez was transported to the Lenoir County Jail, where he was placed under a $100,000 secured bond.

The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office C-Shift, SCARR Team, Kinston Police Department, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol assisted with the incident.