ROCKINGHAM — A suspect in a Gaston County stabbing was taken into custody this week in Richmond County.
Eric Wayne Prine, 40, of Gastonia, is accused of trying to stab a man in the chest with a 3-inch pocketknife on June 8.
The Gaston County Police Department obtained a warrant for Prine’s arrest on that same day, charging him with one misdemeanor count of assault with a deadly weapon.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were patrolling East Rockingham in the area of Aleo 9th Avenue on June 17 when they noticed a stationary vehicle at an unoccupied property.
“Deputies approached to ensure that no crimes were in progress and to offer assistance if needed,” reads a press release from the sheriff’s office. “During this check, they encountered Eric Wayne Prine occupying the vehicle.”
During the investigation, deputies reportedly found out about Prine’s Gaston County warrant, and that he was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service for a federal probation violation.
Prine was arrested and booked into the Richmond County Jail where he is being held on a $10,000 secured bond on the Gaston County charge, and without bond on the probation violation. He is scheduled to appear in a Gaston County court on July 6.
"This is another excellent example of our deputies' proactive approach to law enforcement," Sheriff Mark Gulledge said in a statement.
While the RO could not find information related to his federal case, the N.C. Department of Adult Correction shows Prine has a criminal record dating back more than 20 years:
(NOTE: All convictions are in Gaston County except where noted.)
2004 - 10 counts of felony conspiracy, six counts of felony larceny, four counts breaking and entering, three counts of larceny after breaking and entering, three counts of possession of stolen goods or property, carrying a concealed weapon, reckless driving, speeding, operating a vehicle without a license
2007 - sexual battery, contributing the delinquency of a minor, failure to appear on a felony
2009 - failure to register as a sex offender (Cleveland), failure to notify a change of address as a sex offender, two counts of injury to personal property, two counts of misdemeanor larceny
2020 - failure to notify a change of address as a sex offender (Cleveland)
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
