A former Newton Grove Police chief, charged with several child sex offenses earlier this year, will appear in Sampson County Superior Court next week.
Greg Warren is scheduled to appear before Superior Court Judge Bob Roupe on July 1, for an administrative hearing. Those hearings are usually set as a routine procedural case-management date, allowing attorneys for the state and defense to provide case updates, including discovery and scheduling.
This will mark Warren’s third court appearance since his arrest earlier this year. The first was on Jan. 8, followed by a second hearing on Jan. 15. After his first hearing on Jan. 8, Warren was transported to the Onslow County Jail in Jacksonville for a short period of time due to safety concerns. He was returned to the Sampson County Detention Center near the end of January.
He is currently out of jail on bond awaiting trial.
Then police chief, Warren originally was arrested Jan. 7 following a probe by the State Bureau of Investigation which led to seven charges being filed against him, including taking indecent liberties with a minor, peeping, and possession of images from peeping.
District Court Judge Robert Gillmore denied bond in his first hearing on Jan 8.
“We’re not just talking about a possession case,” Gillmore had said at the time of Warren’s first appearance. “This is about creating those images as well, so it’s really a step above that. Because of that, I have serious concerns over the safety of the community and the victim.”
A week after Warren was arrested, he turned in his resignation letter to the town of Newton Grove.
“The town of Newton Grove has received Police Chief Greg Warren’s resignation,” the town posted on its social media page Jan.13. “Effective immediately, Chief Warren is no longer an employee of the town of Newton Grove. Town officials have met and have taken all necessary steps to ensure there is no lapse in law enforcement service.”
In a second hearing, on Jan. 15, one which saw Warren face additional charges for drug trafficking and possession of illegal firearms following the discovery of an unregistered AR-15 rifle and opioids during a search of his residence after his arrest, District Court Judge Morgan Swinson handed down a $500,000 secured bond. An additional $50,000 bond was handed down for additional sex-related charges.
The $550,000 total bond was secured by Warren on April 14, releasing him from the Sampson Detention Center and placing him under house arrest. As of June 5, he has been allowed by the courts to remain on house arrest.
Overseeing his case currently is NC Conference of District Attorneys Executive Director Kimberly Spahos.