Sheriff Chip Hughes

10/10/2026

Thank you Sheriff Robinson for your partnership as a fellow Sheriff in Eastern NC!

As a relatively new Sheriff myself, I have quickly come to appreciate the importance of having experienced, knowledgeable and dedicated leaders whom I can turn to for advice and guidance. Sheriff Chip Hughes of Craven County has been one of those individuals for me; and that means more than I can adequately express.

Sheriff Hughes has dedicated many years of his life to serving and protecting the citizens of Craven County. Throughout his career, he has gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience in law enforcement, leadership and the many challenges that come with serving as Sheriff. His understanding of the responsibilities of this office, along with his commitment to public safety and the citizens he serves, has earned my deepest respect.

On many occasions, I have had the opportunity to reach out to Sheriff Hughes for advice and he has always been willing to take the time to share his knowledge, offer guidance and provide encouragement. That willingness to help a fellow Sheriff speaks volumes about his character, professionalism and dedication to the law enforcement profession.

I firmly believe that experience matters, especially when it comes to leading a Sheriff’s Office. The decisions we make as Sheriffs directly affect the safety, well-being and quality of life of the citizens who have entrusted us with this tremendous responsibility.

I have tremendous admiration for Sheriff Hughes’ years of service, his dedication to Craven County and his willingness to share the lessons he has learned throughout his distinguished career.

As a sitting Sheriff, I understand the tremendous responsibilities and challenges that come with this office. My personal experiences with Sheriff Hughes have given me a profound appreciation for his knowledge, his judgment, his leadership and his genuine commitment to the safety and well-being of the citizens of Craven County.

I am personally grateful for his friendship, his mentorship and the guidance he has provided me. His willingness to share his experience has helped me grow as a Sheriff and has reinforced my belief that true leadership is about service, integrity, accountability and putting the needs of citizens first.

Sheriff Chip Hughes has my deepest respect and sincere appreciation, both as a fellow Sheriff and as a friend.

— Drew Robinson
Sheriff of Martin County, North Carolina

07/10/2026

The Craven County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about an ongoing scam in which suspects are posing as deputies from our office. These scammers are using our official phone numbers to deceive individuals into believing they are being contacted by law enforcement officers.

The callers may claim that the recipient owes money for a variety of reasons, such as unpaid fines, missed jury duty, or other fictitious charges. They may demand immediate payment, threatening arrest or other legal action if the money is not sent.

Please note:

• The Craven County Sheriff's Office will never ask for payment over the phone.

• Deputies will never request personal financial information or direct payments through methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or prepaid debit cards.

• If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be from the Sheriff's Office, do not provide any personal information or money.

If you are in doubt about the legitimacy of a call, hang up immediately and contact the Craven County Sheriff's Office directly at (252) 636-6620 or Craven County Communications at (252) 633-2357 to verify the situation. For emergencies, please call 911.

We strongly encourage the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to our office or local law enforcement. Protect yourself and your loved ones from these fraudulent schemes.

Chip Hughes
Craven County Sheriff

25/09/2026

18/09/2026

Traffic Alert

On Saturday, Sept. 19., a series of traffic changes will occur in the Williams Road area near Old Cherry Point Road. A new portion of Williams Road opening, new stop signs on Old Cherry Point Road, and permanent service road closures will further prepare the area for future interchange construction and advance traffic flow toward its final state.

Williams Road Connection from U.S. 70 to Old Cherry Point Road Opening
On Saturday, Sept. 19, a new segment of Williams Road will be opened, creating a connection between U.S. 70 and Old Cherry Point Road. Drivers will be able to turn onto the new portion of Williams Road from U.S. 70 and Old Cherry Point Road. At the new intersection of Williams Road and Old Cherry Point Road, traffic on Williams Road will flow through continuously onto Old Cherry Point Road without stopping.

Stop Signs Added to Old Cherry Point Road
On Saturday, Sept. 19, stop signs will be added on Old Cherry Point Road at the new intersection with Williams Road. Drivers will be required to stop in both directions on Old Cherry Point Road at this location. There will be no stop sign for drivers on Williams Road turning right or left onto Old Cherry Point Road. Please remain alert to traffic from Williams Road.

Permanent Service Road Closures
On Saturday, Sept. 19, two segments of SR 1155 (U.S. 70 Westbound Service Road) will be permanently closed.

To the west of Williams Road, SR 1155 will be closed between Williams Road and the Advance Auto Parts driveway. Access to Carolina Grill and Advance Auto Parts will be from Old Cherry Point Road.

To the east of Williams Road, SR 1155 will be closed between Williams Road and just before the DECOY Apparel driveway.

11/09/2026

We are grateful each and every year on this anniversary for the opportunity to remember how so many citizens, young and old, from all walks of life responded with a powerful, enduring determination to help America recover and rebuild – and how, to this very day, this memory can serve to remind us that even in the darkest of days, Americans face a future of hope, that the fundamental American values of decency, fortitude, generosity, and strength will help us carry on and keep our nation strong.

God Bless the USA.

06/09/2026

🇺🇸 Safe Travels This Labor Day Weekend!

As you enjoy this Labor Day weekend with family and friends, the Craven County Sheriff’s Office reminds everyone to make safety a priority.

Our deputies will be working throughout the holiday weekend to help keep the roads and our community safe.

From all of us at the Craven County Sheriff’s Office, have a safe, enjoyable, and blessed Labor Day weekend!

🇺🇸 Safe travels, and thank you for helping us keep Craven County safe!

Sheriff Chip Hughes

04/09/2026

Great teamwork!!

Craven County Sheriff’s Office Receives 2026 N.C. Gang Association Award for Operation Targeting Local Street Gang

The Craven County Sheriff’s Office along with multiple other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies received an award this week for an operation targeting a local street gang in Craven County.

This joint operation resulted in law enforcement seizing:

* More than 840 grams of fentanyl
* More than 1,500 grams of methamphetamine
* Approximately 17 fi****ms

A total of 10 suspects were arrested resulting in the federal convictions and sentences totaling over 114 years in federal prison for gang members involved in the trafficking of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and fi****ms. Additional lower-level gang members remain pending prosecution in state court.

The success of this operation was made possible through exceptional interagency cooperation, resource sharing, intelligence coordination, and a long-standing full-time partnership among the Craven County Sheriff's Office, New Bern Police Department, North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections, ATF, HSI, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).

Additional support was provided from the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, Carteret County Sheriff's Office, and Nash County Sheriff's Office further enhanced the operation's effectiveness.

Craven County Sheriff Chip Hughes stated “Our Sheriff's Office maintains strong partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as state and federal prosecutors. By collaborating daily, we ensure our cases are thorough and complete, holding criminals fully accountable. This level of teamwork has never been stronger”

Hughes continued, “I am proud to congratulate our Special Investigations Bureau on this award. Their daily dedication keeps Craven County a safer place for all of us to live, work, and raise our families. This successful operation reflects our commitment to placing exceptionally qualified professionals in key roles throughout the Sheriff’s Office to serve our community.”

28/08/2026

Join us September 1, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Township 6 Fire Department Station 1 in Carolina Pines for National Night Out.

22/08/2026

Boaters Beware: Thieves Stealing GPS Units from Boats

The Craven County Sheriff’s Office is warning boat owners of recent thefts of Garmin GPS devices from boats.

Only state-of-the-art Garmin equipment is taken, and investigators believe it is an organized crime ring that has been targeting boats across multiple states.

On Friday, the sheriff’s office responded to a business on Highway 70 in New Bern after multiple Garmin GPS devices and chartplotters were stolen overnight; the wires to the devices were cut.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Craven County Sheriff’s Office at 252-636-6620 or Craven County Communications at 253-633-2357. You can also submit tips anonymously through the Craven County Crime Stoppers app at p3tips.com/986

10/08/2026

As our children head back to school, I want to remind parents and students that safety starts at home.

Let’s work together to make this school year a safe, successful, and enjoyable one for all of our children.

Have a great school year!

Sheriff Chip Hughes