Pastor Darron Carmon was said to be “a leader right in our community, making it better and safer for all,” according to the town of Winterville, North Carolina. However, that all changed after Carmon filed a lawsuit against the town and two former police officers.
Back in 1993, Carmon was wrongfully accused and arrested for a robbery. After a false conviction and sentencing, he served eight years of his 40-year sentence. Carmon was released early due to good behavior.
He then went on to become a pastor and began nonprofit organizations, including People Against Racism. Carmon’s church was used as a vaccine clinic during the pandemic, and he has spearheaded multiple community projects, which include art endeavors and feeding people in need.
Decades after his conviction, Carmon’s new attorneys uncovered fingerprint evidence that was never submitted to the city courts during the original hearing. He has since been exonerated and is now pursuing a pardon for a crime he didn’t commit.
The Town No Longer Honors Pastor Darron Carmon
According to The News & Observer, Carmon was expected to receive the Hero of the Year award in 2023 for the third year in a row. But in light of the recent lawsuit, the town of Winterville chose another recipient and has pulled all of its support and recognition of Carmon. Keen Lassiter, the town’s attorney, mentioned that this response is standard procedure while involved in litigation.
The town canceled any observances on what would have been the fifth Pastor Darron Antonio Carmon Day. Winterville’s previous proclamation noted Carmon’s Sikono Mentoring Program (for children aged 3 to young adult) having a “breathtaking 100% success rate.”
“It’s almost like being victimized again,” said Carmon. “It’s a lack of integrity, a lack of concern, a lack of care.”
He spoke with the Reflector and shared more of his story, saying “Winterville’s response right now is to not say anything, not talk to me.”
“These are people who called me, talked to me. They wanted to use my church. You can Google that. We partnered with ECU and the mayor wanted to use my church so they could vaccinate people during the pandemic,” Carmon said. He continued, “We were very active for the city during that time.”
According to the lawsuit, Carmon is accusing the officers of arresting him despite the fact that he didn’t fit the description of the robber provided by the witness. The clerk described the armed robber as six feet tall and with a long afro. Carmon is 5-foot-6 and had short hair at the time. The officers also took fingerprints at the crime scene, which they left in an evidence locker.
Last year, Carmon posted a five-minute video titled, “When They Don’t Apologize.” He addressed the times in life when people are wronged, and the offender never apologizes. Carmon encouraged his listeners not to meditate on the wrongdoing since many won’t return to say, “I’m sorry.”
Carmon continued, “Where your focus goes, there your energy flows.” He challenged others to choose to do what is right and to make amends when they’ve done wrong.
