A convicted sex offender wanted for registration violations in Guilford and Alamance counties was apprehended in Wilmington late last week.
Jameel Lamont Bryant was ultimately taken into custody on Thursday after warrants were issued for his arrest by the sheriff’s offices in both Guilford and Alamance counties.
According to the office of Alamance County’s sheriff, Bryant had originally found himself on the agency’s radar a day earlier when its investigators received a tip about the 35-year-old black male from their counterparts in Guilford County. Guilford’s investigators went on to reveal that Bryant had apparently moved to Alamance County more than six months ago without notifying the authorities in either county as state law demands of a previously convicted sex offender.
The office of Alamance County later confirmed that Bryant had relocated to a new home at 1117 Bateman Place in Mebane. The agency also ascertained that he was taking classes at UNC-Wilmington, where he was subsequently arrested by members of the university’s campus police force.
In addition to his ongoing studies, Bryant apparently serves as a clergy member at a local house of worship called the Help Center Church. He has even set up a Facebook page as “Bishop J L Bryant” that mentions his affiliation with this Haw River-based congregation.
Based on his alleged registration lapses, Bryant has been charged with felonies for failing to register as a sex offender in both Guilford and Alamance counties. He is also accused, in each jurisdiction, of failing to report a change of address and, in Alamance County, of failing to report an online identifier. The office of Alamance County’s sheriff has also charged him with two counts of being on premises intended for children.
Bryant was reportedly released shortly after his arrest in New Hanover County, having posted bonds of $120,000 and $100,000 that had been placed by Alamance and Guilford counties respectively.
