ROBESON COUNTY, NC. (THECOUNT) — Accused drug dealer, Orlando Lopez, of Palm Coast, Florida, has obtained some support from an unlikely source, members of North Carolina law enforcement.
Lopez, 43, of Palm Coast was apprehended in Robeson County, in North Carolina, just north of the South Carolina border. A search of his vehicle turned up 98 grams of cocaine and 35 grams of methamphetamine. The estimated street value of the drugs would be about $10,600, but it’s not his crime that’s garnered some compassion from police, it’s his mugshot.
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A sheriff’s office came to the defense of Lopez after some folks poked fun at his mugshot that was posted on the department’s Facebook page.
Lopez was subsequently arrested and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, trafficking in cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance, maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, reports WFLA.
After his arrest, the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office released a photo of Lopez’s mugshot onto Facebook and their followers were quick to mock his appearance due to his disfigured head, which is believed to be the result of a serious injury.
The negative discourse was enough to prompt the sheriff’s office to make a plea for civility.
“Even though this individual has been charged for committing a crime, he is still someone’s child/family member,” stated a post on the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. “It is obvious that he has suffered some type of injury. Please refrain from making jokes/negative comments. Have a blessed day.”
Lopez was being held in the Robeson County Jail on a $250,000 bond.
Geo quick facts: Robeson County is a county in the southern part of the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 134,168. Its county seat is Lumberton. The county was formed in 1787 from part of Bladen County. It was named in honor of Col. Thomas Robeson of Tar Heel, a hero of the Revolutionary War – Wikipedia.