Sheriff Kimbrough Responds To Excessive Force Allegations

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office is responding to allegations that an officer used excessive force against a black man during an incident over the weekend. 

The confrontation Saturday at Cooks Flea Market was filmed and sparked outrage online. The video shows a white sheriff's deputy lifting up Charles Moody while physically restraining him.  A struggle ensued until Moody was handcuffed while pressed against a store counter. 

At a press conference on Monday, Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough said the deputy did not use excessive force. 

Kimbrough, who addressed accusations and answered questions afterwards, was flanked by several prominent leaders in the African-American community including NAACP President Rev. Alvin Carlisle, Urban League President James Perry, Bishop Todd Fulton and activist Al Jabbar. After viewing the full body camera video earlier in the day, they stood beside Kimbrough as he told reporters the footage captured repeated requests by the deputy for Moody to wear a mask and — after he refused — for him to leave the premises.

“The Facebook warriors out there and everybody who's out there trying to divide us — we're bigger than this,” said Kimbrough. “We've got to stand together strong. When we have issues in our community, we've got to be able to sit, talk and work through them before we decide we're going to take to the streets without probable cause. We've got to see more than a 30-second or 15-second or 60-second video. We've got to see it in its entirety so you get the full scope of it.”

Bishop Fulton said he's received countless calls, emails and texts from citizens in the community stating that a Black man was violated by a white Forsyth County Sheriff's deputy for not wearing a mask. 

“Upon watching the camera footage from the officer's video, I find no fault in the way that the officer handled the situation,” said Fulton. “And I'm not saying this to be friends with anybody in this room, but I'm saying it as the bishop in the Lord's church because it's the truth.”

Sheriff Kimbrough said he began his day responding to hate mail and angry phone call messages from across the country. He also said he's spoken with Charles Moody on the phone and invited him to meet in person. Moody was charged with resisting arrest and trespassing.