Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

Ex-sheriff may return to Shallotte in Jan.

ASH, N.C. -- Former Brunswick County sheriff Ronald E. Hewett could return to his home near Shallotte on Jan. 12, the date he is scheduled to be released from a federally supervised halfway house in Wilmington, N.C.

Hewett was convicted of obstruction of justice in 2007 and sentenced to 16 months at the federal prison in Butner, N.C. His stay at the halfway house, which began Oct. 15, is part of a two-year process that will eventually separate him completely from the federal correction system.

Hewett's conviction came after he tried to hamper a federal investigation probing allegations that he ordered sheriff's department staff to do work at his home along N.C. 130 between Shallotte and Holden Beach. The county was paying the staff members' salaries while they worked at his house.

Federal prison officials couldn't say where Hewett will report to a probation officer, but there is a federal probation office in Wilmington.

Edmond Ross, a spokesman for the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, said that Hewett was ordered to have two years of supervised release after his active sentence.

Ross said the purpose of the time in the halfway house is for former prisoners to get jobs and re-establish family ties.

Rules differ among halfway houses in the federal system, but Ross said residents must maintain contact with the house manager. They likely are free to leave the home at some point during every day. Ross said residents may have duties in the upkeep and maintenance of the house. There also may be meetings at the house that residents must attend.

Wherever Hewett will live at least initially was likely determined sometime ago.

"We begin planning for [prisoner] release when they first enter the prison," Ross said.

As with the halfway house, Ross said the rules for the supervised release vary from prisoner to prisoner. All will be required to report to the parole office intermittently and may have to take drug and alcohol tests. Counseling and training may also be part of the supervised release program.