[REVISION HISTORY]
FBI probe into CMPD racist text messages continues
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2026-10-19 18:13 UTC → 2026-10-21 02:44 UTC ·
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CMPD faces FBI probe over into CMPD racist officer text messages continues
An investigation into the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) has escalated into an FBI probe regarding potential civil rights violations. The inquiry follows the discovery of a group chat containing racial, sexual, and religious biases, including racial slurs and a competition among officers to stop the most Black drivers. Chief Estella Patterson described the findings as ‘deeply troubling’ and expressed disgust at the messages, which one participant noted “sound like a clan rally.” Of The investigation was triggered by an inquiry into the six misuse of Flock camera technology. This led to the resignation of Seth Elliott in August following an arrest by the North Carolina Bureau of Investigation for allegedly improperly accessing a Flock camera. Regarding the primary group of officers involved—all from the same 2024 graduating class—four have resigned to avoid formal termination. Two others remain involved, Chief Patterson confirmed that five officers—Mateo Juarez, Joseph Kelly, Tredan Maronic, Matthew Osborn, and Alexander Larsen—have resigned. A sixth officer, Jeremiah Todman, remains on unpaid administrative leave pending a review by the city’s Civil Service Board, which holds final authority over the dismissal of sworn members. A seventh officer had previously resigned in August following an unrelated arrest. Board. The CMPD has conducted audits of body-worn footage, traffic stops, and arrest records. While the department stated it has found no evidence of problematic stops or arrests linked to these specific officers, the allegations may prompt a review of criminal cases handled by them. The investigation is being monitored by the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. District Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina.
Versions
- 2026-10-21 02:44 UTC FBI probe into CMPD racist text messages continues
- 2026-10-19 18:13 UTC CMPD faces FBI probe over racist officer text messages
- 2026-10-16 13:15 UTC Charlotte-Mecklenburg police misconduct investigation
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