Detabian Fortenberry was arrested Friday in Charlotte, NC, for assault on a female and several other charges. I see over 50 prior arrests, including below @mattvanswol@L1569Uptown
-8/8/23 (released 2 days later)
-3/6/24 (released next day)
-3/15/24 (released same day)
-11/5/24 (released 3 days later)
-5/27/25 (released next day)
-7/22/25 (released 3 weeks later)
Detabian Fortenberry was arrested Friday in Charlotte, NC, for assault on a female and several other charges. I see over 50 prior arrests, including below @mattvanswol@L1569Uptown
-8/8/23 (released 2 days later)
-3/6/24 (released next day)
-3/15/24 (released same day)
-11/5/24 (released 3 days later)
-5/27/25 (released next day)
-7/22/25 (released 3 weeks later)
All the Meck Sheriff candidates say Iryna’s law has been bad for the jail/inmates because the jail is over capacity.
Let’s be clear. Iryna’s Law isn’t to make life easier on criminals. Iryna’s Law is to protect the public.
Too many criminals isn’t a reason to release people.
The fastest way to lower average housing prices in American cities is enforcing the law/reducing criminal activity. Huge chunks of high-density housing are trapped in Bad Neighborhoods, no-go zones depressed well below nearby prices. Nobody with options even considers them.
Do we know which judge denied this? @Hunt_Saenz@mattvanswol
"Authorities requested an involuntary hold for Sturdivant for mental health purposes prior to Wednesday’s arrest, but that request was denied, officials said Friday."
https://t.co/BTlq4vngFO
What CMPD isn’t telling you is that he was already released the no driver license charge has already been dropped and that the guy is an illegal immigrant who was street racing and ran a stop sign at a four way stop. The 15 year old girl was broadsided suffered severe injuries and passed on Friday.
The Meck DA Spencer Merriweather is still deciding on additional charges.
🚨#BREAKING: A violent, repeat offender in North Carolina, who was previously CONVICTED OF M*RDER, BUT ONLY SERVED 5 YEARS IN PRISON...
...has been arrested AGAIN for hijacking an ambulance from 2 EMS who were trying to save his life, ramming the ambulance into an elderly woman's car, and then shooting her to death
He is being held in prison, without bond because of Iryna's Law.
Remember the juvenile repeat offender who had over 275 charges between several agencies in North and South Carolina we posted back in June? The story didn’t end there.
After being extradited to South Carolina, the juvenile was placed on probation and released back to their guardian in August. In October, the juvenile was involved in a vehicle pursuit with Mooresville Police Department (MPD) after being observed breaking into multiple vehicles. Wrecking the vehicle, the suspect was taken into custody and despite 15 charges, including several for possessing stolen firearms, MPD’s request for a secure custody order was denied and the suspect was released to their guardian.
In November, the juvenile continued their criminal activity in our North and Metro Divisions. After stealing a car in North Division, the suspect went on to be involved in an armed carjacking and a shooting into an occupied dwelling of a residence associated with a known gang member, in Metro Division, all in the same night.
Through the collaborative efforts of our Juvenile Accountability and Diversion Empowerment (JADE) unit and Metro Division, officers successfully connected these cases and secured arrest warrants to charge this 16-year-old habitual offender as an adult.
Officers also obtained a search warrant for the juvenile’s residence, locating and seizing 6 guns including two with a switch device converting it to fully automatic, 2 cell phones and 2 key programmers.
The suspect was arrested and charged with Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, Discharging a Weapon into Occupied Dwelling, Possession of a Weapon of Mass Destruction and more.
(See Facebook for full list of charges and seizures)
This juvenile is currently being held without bond. As investigations continue, the suspect has been determined to be a person of interest for almost 80 recent car break-ins across multiple jurisdictions. Additional charges are expected.
This arrest reflects the persistence and thorough investigative work of our officers, as well as the importance of teamwork in addressing repeat offenders who pose ongoing threats to our community.
Uh - misconceptions!?!?
"Police said repeat offenders like this juvenile inflate crime numbers by increasing incidents and victims, potentially creating misconceptions about overall crime rates when many offenses are committed by the same individuals."
https://t.co/n7v6wq90pO
Roof Above receives millions in government grants every year - why are they providing housing to repeat violent criminals who are in the country illegally? How is this a good use of our tax dollars?
Today the new Police Chief rolled out a new plan to make Uptown feel safer.
I spent the better part of today in Uptown Charlotte.
It was sad, dark, seedy and unwelcoming.
More than a decade ago I worked in the First Union Tower, and Charlotte Plaza Building. Mrs. Cedar worked at BB&T. We used to hang out at the French Quarter and walk home to our condo in Fourth Ward nearly every evening.
My parents owned the restaurant across the street from the Latta Arcade.
Today I saw nothing but despair and disappointment.
At Noon the Mayor and new CMPD Police Chief both received a polite round of applause at charity function in the Convention Center.
Outside a homeless dude picked his toes on a granite bench on College Street while a bag lady shuffled along 3rd Street towards Marshall Park.
The unused bike lanes that wind around Uptown create an extra sense of disorganization. Garbage blows along the curb in a endless parade of gutter clutter.
Bus shelters double as homeless camps where a black man is yelling at unseen demons.
Along West 5th the old Charlotte Fire Station No. 4 has broken windows and rotting doors. A block later Ladder 4 is making it's way up Church Street lights siren and horn blaring. The engineer turns east onto 5th Street and comes to a stop wedged between construction trucks and confused drivers as the captain of the truck is hitting the air horn again and again.
Then for a moment old Charlotte returns, a parking valet attendant moves a few cones, drivers move to the side and the ladder moves on down the street.
Then the sadness returns the Charlotte that once was the Queen City reappears as a decrepit old lady dirty tired and confused.
Charloot's endless comedy act never disappoints. You couldn't make this up. Remember Charlotte "by and large is a safe city" according to Mayor Vi Lyles.
So consider the case of Deonte Maurice Polk.
Booked last night and charged with (hold the coffee):
INDECENT EXPOSURE
ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON
SIMPLE ASSAULT
and
COMMUNICATING THREATS
Apparently what happened the wasn't a "big deal" as his bond was set at $4,000.00 meaning 4 Franklins and he's back out.
But his 100s of charges over the last five years should make him a candidate for permanent incarceration.
Why does our society accept this?
4/30/23 - assault on a female, possessing stolen motor vehicle (released one week later)
1/14/24 - assault with a deadly weapon, discharge weapon into occupied property (released 1 week later)
3/14/24 - resisting public officer, possessing stolen motor vehicle (released 3 weeks later)
8/15/24 - breaking and entering, burglary (released 5 days later)
8/26/25 - driving charges (released next day)
9/25/25 - possessing stolen motor vehicle (released 2 days later)
10/9/25 - parole violation (released 2 weeks later)
11/25/25 - arrested for murder
51 year old Pete Fana was murdered in his home in Charlotte, NC in October - another death that should have been prevented if judges kept violent, repeat offenders in jail
CMPD has announced the arrest of "Zantavious" Walker for the October 8, 2025 murder of Peter Batista Fana, 51.
Despite being arrested on January 14, 2024 and charged with:
DISCHARGE WEAPON OCC PROP-CONVEY IN OPER
POSSESSION OF FIREARM BY FELON
ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON
DISCHARGE FIREARM IN CITY
He was released from jail on January 24, 2024 and then arrested four additional times before the October 8, 2025 murder.
Four chances to prevent a homicide.
Including possession of a stolen motor vehicle on September 29 just days before the murder and was released on an unsecured bond.
After the murder the stolen vehicle charges were dismissed by judge Jennifer Fleet.
Can someone tell why this 11 time convicted habitual criminal who is awaiting trial on attempted murder and felon with a gun charges is still free on bond after being arrested for domestic violence and assault on a female last Thursday?
Twice in the past year he shot up a business a Waffle House 12/20/24 (which should be a life sentence) and then a Market Express Shell on 01/03/25.
Arrested and charged for shooting into an occupied property and attempted murder his bail set at $20,000 then charged for being a felon with a gun he was released on bail of only $5,000 with electronic monitoring. Which was apparently removed last month so he could find a job.
Should we mention the DWI and Reckless Driving Charges from last year?
Or any of the other nearly 100 charges he been arrested for in the last 15 years?
Thanks to Roy Cooper appointed Mecklenburg County Judge Keith Smith this menace to society is once again looking for his next victim of violence.