A closer look at the convicted sex offenders and violent criminals released under the 2021 agreement.
Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is facing renewed scrutiny over a controversial prison-release agreement after records highlighted several convicted rapists and child sex offenders who were among inmates released from state custody in 2021.
The issue has returned to the center of North Carolina’s closely watched U.S. Senate race, where Cooper is running against Republican Michael Whatley.
According to a Breitbart News report examining inmates released under the agreement, the group included 34 people convicted of rape, 51 convicted of indecent liberties with a child, five convicted of sexual offenses involving a substitute parent or custodian, and 51 inmates serving life sentences.
Some of those released were later arrested again.
Child Sex Offenders Among Those Released
Among the cases highlighted was Joseph Iannarone, who was released in June 2021 after serving time connected to sexual exploitation of a child and DWI offenses. He was later arrested again on a second-degree exploitation of a minor charge involving the distribution of child pornography.
Jason Cuthbertson, whose criminal history included indecent liberties with a child and other offenses, was released in March 2021. Just months later, authorities arrested him on second- and third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor charges.
Then there was Jimmie Speight.
Speight had served time for crimes including three counts of indecent liberties with a minor and had previously been arrested in connection with an alleged statutory rape involving a 14-year-old girl.
He was released in March 2021.
Approximately one month later, Speight allegedly shot into a vehicle driven by Edmond Moore Jr. in Greenville. Moore was killed.