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From Pitt County Sheriff’s Office

At 6:12 am on February 22, 2025, deputies with the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office responded to a possible domestic dispute at the Travel Store located at 6634 Clarks Neck Rd. in Washington (Pitt County).

When deputies arrived on scene, they discovered 37-year-old Lijena V. Hickman deceased. Deputies arrested a second female on scene, 24-year-old Saraya Richardson of New Bern. Richardson was charged with Failing to Report a Death/Call 911. She was denied a bond at the time due to currently being out on bond for other charges in Craven County.

On February 24, 2025, detectives issued warrants for Richardson, charging her with Death by Distribution in the case. She remains in custody at the Pitt County Detention Center under a $175,000 secured bond.

Through an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office Narcotics Unit, it was determined that the Fentanyl taken by the deceased, Lijena Hickman, was purchased from 43-year-old Archie L. Minor of Aurora.

On April 3, 2025, detectives executed search warrants at residences located on Moss Lane in Washington (Pitt County) and on Adalia Rd. in Aurora. During the search warrant executed in Aurora, deputies seized 57 grams of Fentanyl and 3 firearms, one of which had been reported stolen.

Pitt County detectives arrested Minor, charging him with Death by Distribution, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Beaufort County deputies charged Minor with Possession of Stolen Firearm, Possession of Firearm by Felon, Possess Weapon of Mass Destruction, Trafficking Opium or Heroin (3 counts}, and PWIMSD Sch II CS.

Minor remains in custody at the Pitt County Detention Center under a $3,765,000 secured bond.

This case was a collaborative effort by the following jurisdictions; the Major Crimes, Special Operations, Gangs & Guns, and Patrol Units of the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office along with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (D.E.A.).