SBI looking into 2016 Cary PD drug investigation where vehicle tied to former town manager spotted

CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is looking into an alleged incident from 2016 involving a vehicle owned by former Cary Town Manager Sean Stegall that was spotted by Cary police during an undercover illegal-drug-sales operation.

According to town public records released last week, the Harrison Motel was under surveillance in 2016 for suspected illegal drug sales.

Cary investigators say they spotted a vehicle registered to Stegall at the Harrison Motel. They saw a man come out of the vehicle. Afterward, the vehicle returned to an address tied to Stegall.

At the time, Stegall was not charged or accused of wrongdoing, and police said "nothing warrants further action."

The Wake County District Attorney's Office said the move comes as the office investigates separate allegations of misappropriation by Stegall during his time as town manager.

In a statement, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said:

"Since opening an investigation into allegations of misappropriation by the former Cary (Town) Manager Stegall, it has been brought to my attention that he was identified during ongoing surveillance of a property as part of an undercover controlled substance investigation in 2016. At the time of that investigation, it appears it was determined that there was not evidence for further criminal investigative action regarding him. Due to the time that has elapsed since that incident, it may be impossible to assess whether that was an appropriate determination. But it is important that a review of the handling of that situation be conducted. Therefore, the current Cary Chief of Police, who was not there at the time, along with the State Bureau of Investigation, will conduct such a review and forward their findings to me."

In a statement, an SBI spokesperson confirmed their involvement, saying, "The SBI has been requested by the Wake County District Attorney's office to review documents regarding a 2016 incident at the Harrison Motel in Cary."

Cary Police Chief Terry Sult said he has been in constant communication with the DA since the release of public records last week.

"We try to be as transparent as possible," he said. "Multiple conversations over the last couple of weeks, and last week, and even this morning. Um, everything that she has recommended, I have concurred with, including looking into this matter."

Sult said Cary residents should still have faith in their local law enforcement.

"The message for the community is they have a very high-quality police department that has a culture of community relations and community empathy and the highest integrity," said Sult.

Again, Stegall has not been charged or accused of wrongdoing in relation to this 2016 incident.

ABC11 reached out to Stegall for a statement about this latest development. He has yet to respond with a comment.

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