Whiteville man faces firearm charges following H.E.A.T. Team traffic operation

WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — A Whiteville man is facing several charges after Columbus County deputies say he drove away from a traffic checkpoint before a handgun was found inside his vehicle.

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office says members of its H.E.A.T. Team were conducting a traffic checking station at Pine Log Road and Legion Drive on Sept. 23.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies stopped a Toyota driven by 23-year-old Jaesean Freeman of Whiteville.

Deputies say Freeman was unable to provide a driver’s license and was instructed to pull onto the shoulder while they checked his information.

The sheriff’s office alleges Freeman then drove away from the checking station and traveled down Legion Drive.

A deputy later located and detained Freeman in a driveway off Pinewood Drive. A Columbus County Sheriff’s Office K9 was brought to the scene and alerted on the vehicle, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies searched the vehicle and say they found a concealed handgun inside.

The sheriff’s office says Freeman’s driver’s license was suspended and deputies determined he had a prior felony conviction.

Freeman was arrested and taken to the Columbus County Law Enforcement Center. He is charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, carrying a concealed weapon, failure to heed a light or siren, driving while license revoked and failure to carry a valid driver’s license.

The sheriff’s office says Freeman received no bond.