Cooper’s Prison Release Controversy

In 2021, former Governor and current North Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Roy Cooper implemented a mass prison release program that resulted in the early release of several violent offenders, including sexual predators and child rapists. Alarmingly, almost half of those released have committed new offenses since their release.

The prison release agreement Cooper signed stands out as it was the only one in the nation where a sitting governor accepted a quota without resisting pressure from progressive groups.

Through this initiative, Cooper released 34 rapists, 51 individuals convicted of indecent liberties with minors, and five offenders charged with sexual offenses involving a substitute parent or custodian. Additionally, he granted freedom to 51 inmates serving life sentences.

Here are a few cases of offenders released under this scheme:

Joseph Iannarone

• Joseph Iannarone was let out of prison in June 2021 after his arrest for sexual exploitation of a child and DWI. However, just over a year later, in July 2024, he was arrested once more, this time for distribution of child pornography in Randolph County.

Jason Cuthbertson

• Released in March 2021 after serving time for multiple offenses, including assault and indecent liberties with a child, Jason Cuthbertson found himself in trouble just months later. In June 2021, he was charged again for sexual exploitation of a minor, with law enforcement discovering a collection of child pornography in his possession.

Jimmie Speight

• Jimmie Speight, who had faced severe charges such as breaking and entering and child molestation, was released in March 2021. Just a month later, he was allegedly involved in a fatal shooting incident, resulting in the tragic death of Edmond Moore Jr.

Jerry Tuttle

• After his release in April 2021, Jerry Tuttle, who had a long history of criminal charges, was arrested again shortly after, having been previously convicted of offenses against a 7-year-old boy.

Arthur Wilson

• Arthur Wilson was set free in June 2021 despite serving a life sentence for first-degree rape. He had committed the crime in 1982 and was rearrested for DWI shortly after being released.

Christopher Ballentine

• Released by Cooper in June 2021 while serving time for indecent liberties with a child, Ballentine had previously committed serious offenses involving a 12-year-old girl.

Shannone McClintick

• Shannone McClintick was released early in February 2021 despite having been convicted of first-degree rape. He had assaulted an 18-year-old woman in her home, threatening her life if she reported the crime.

In an interview, Cooper stated, “This is something that the state had to do, because the court ordered it,” implying that the decision was out of his hands. However, it’s important to note that the court ordered these releases primarily because of the deal he made.

Republican campaign spokesman DJ Griffin criticized Cooper, stating, “He has a dangerous history of releasing rapists and predators from prison early. These criminals should never have been allowed to roam free, continually posing a threat to unsuspecting North Carolinians.” Griffin suggested that such actions could be damaging for Cooper’s Senate campaign.

Cooper’s race against Republican Michael Whatley has been tightening, with recent polls indicating a narrowing gap likely due to Whatley gaining increased visibility as a candidate. Cooper speculated that the final outcome might fall within a 1- to 3-point difference.