‘He is still someone’s child/family member’: Sheriff calls for civility after mugshot sparks cruel comments

Authorities in North Carolina say a Florida man has been arrested on suspicion of trafficking narcotics after he was pulled over by officers in Robeson County.

According to Fox News, 43-year-old Orlando Lopez is accused of traveling along Interstate 95 with 35 grams of methamphetamine and 98 grams of cocaine in his vehicle. But it was his mugshot, not the allegations against him, that attracted social media mockery — and sparked a call for civilities from the same authorities who arrested him.

Multiple comments referenced his appearance, which the sheriff’s office cautioned was unacceptable. Fortunately, those negative comments were drowned out by social media users who decried such behavior.

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“Even though this individual has been charged for committing a crime, he is still someone’s child/family member,” the agency stated in a Facebook post. “It is obvious that he has suffered some type of injury. Please refrain from making jokes/negative comments.”

Media ReleaseSaturday, June 29, 2019On Friday, June 28, 2019 around 9:00 pm Robeson County Sheriff’s Office…

Posted by Robeson County Sheriff's Office on Saturday, June 29, 2019

The agency also provided information about the charges stemming from the recent traffic stop:

“Orlando Lopez, 43, of Palm Coast, Florida is charged with two counts of trafficking in methamphetamine, two counts of trafficking in cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a scheduled II controlled substance, maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Lopez was placed into the custody of the Robeson County Detention Center with a $250,000 secured bond.”

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[Featured image: Orlando Lopez, Robeson County Sheriff’s Office]