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108-641: Colcor , short for Columbus County Corruption , was an undercover criminal investigation conducted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into corrupt activities involving government officials in Columbus County, North Carolina . While the FBI had for several years received complaints about local alleged protection rackets and election fraud , they did not begin an investigation until 1980, when one of their former informants moved to

216-428: A NOC (pronounced / n ɒ k / NOK ) or as an illegal (see Clandestine HUMINT operational techniques ). Sometimes, front companies or strawman entities are established in order to provide false identities for agents. An agent sent to spy on a foreign country might, for instance, work as a businessperson, a worker for a non-profit organization (such as a humanitarian group), or an academic. For example,

324-444: A trailer containing 1,500 J.C. Penney shoes—with a retail value of $ 257,000—was stolen from the port of Wilmington . Carroll and Hall acquired them after the original deal to sell them faltered, and instead sold them to the FBI agents. In June, Hall began discussing plans to traffic cocaine with the agents and sold them a grain as a sample, while another deal concerning marijuana was also negotiated. Drdak and Hoferkamp arranged for

432-433: A $ 1,000 bribe in exchange for protection of his club and offered continuous bribes in the future. Hunt ultimately accepted $ 7,500 in bribes. In 1981 he altered a speeding infraction issued against another undercover FBI agent and introduced agents to two bookkeepers involved in illegal sports gambling . With Carroll's help, Moody and Redden then sought out Harold Lowery, the police chief of Lake Waccamaw , for help in starting

540-474: A 1.75-mile (2.82 km) riverwalk, developed as a tourist attraction in the late 20th century. In 2003, the city was designated by the U.S. Congress as a "Coast Guard City", one of 29 cities that currently bear that designation. It was formerly the home port for the USCGC ; Diligence , a United States Coast Guard medium-endurance cutter . Wilmington was declared the first World War II Heritage City in

648-580: A Categorical Answer whether I intended to put the Act relating [to] the Stamps in force. The Town Bell was rung[,] Drums [were] beating, Colours [were] flying and [a] great concourse of People [were] gathered together." For the sake of his own life, and "to quiet the Minds of the inraged [ sic ] and furious Mobb...," Houston resigned his position at the courthouse. Governor William Tryon made attempts to mitigate

756-532: A better outcome for himself. He suggested having the undercover agents blow up Harrington's car, break his legs, or damage his property. While Drdak and Hoferkamp tried to secure assurances from Taylor that he would channel his intimidation tactics through them, he was impatient and enlisted the assistance of other associates to begin his campaign. The FBI wiretapped a phone call between Taylor and one of his associates on April 21 in which Taylor insisted that some of Harrington's facility buildings be set on fire within

864-594: A blockade to reduce the goods received by the South. The city was captured by Union forces in the Battle of Wilmington in February 1865, about one month after the fall of Fort Fisher had closed the port. Wilmington was the last Confederate port to be captured. As nearly all the military action took place some distance from the city, numerous antebellum houses and other buildings survived the war years. In mid-August 1862, Wilmington

972-432: A cadre of White Democrats, professionals, and businessmen planned to overthrow the city government if their candidates were not elected. Two days after the election, in which a White Republican was elected mayor and both White and Black aldermen were elected, more than 1500 White men (led by Democrat Alfred M. Waddell , an unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate in 1896) attacked and burned the only Black-owned daily newspaper in

1080-656: A drug handover sting with Carroll and Hall outside of the Marriott Hotel near Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh on June 14. The drug sting was to include the staged arrest of Drdak and Hoferkamp so as to alleviate suspicions in Columbus County that they were working for law enforcement. Hall brought his brother and another friend to help him. After about an hour of negotiations of $ 100,000 for 119 pounds of marijuana, FBI agents and Raleigh Police officers (who were not informed of

1188-459: A federal grand jury in Raleigh in early 1982 to subpoena testimony from Columbus County politicians about vote buying, hoping it would frighten the conspirators in Bolton into canceling the referendum. While the grand jury did concern Columbus politicians, Williamson and Riggins felt that a sudden cancellation of the liquor vote would be equivalent to conceding the existence of a fraudulent scheme. In

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1296-470: A fictionalized autobiography (as per British law) entitled NOC: Non-Official Cover: British Secret Operations , and two sequels: NOC Twice: More UK Non-Official Cover Operations and NOC Three Times: Knock-On Effect (Last of the Trilogy) . Michael Ross , a former Mossad officer, operated as a Mossad NOC or "combatant" as described in his memoir, The Volunteer: The Incredible True Story of an Israeli Spy on

1404-467: A final attempt to stop the referendum, Assistant United States Attorney Douglas McCullough called Bolton officials the night before the vote to warn them of a potential conspiracy, though he did not mention the FBI's role to not blow their agents' cover. The Bolton town board of commissioners quickly convened to discuss the issue but voted to continue with the referendum. On April 30, Bolton residents voted to legalize liquor-by-the-drink, 136 to 76. Riggins

1512-452: A form of gentlemen's agreement . Some countries have regulations regarding the use of non-official cover: the CIA, for example, has at times been prohibited from disguising agents as members of certain aid organizations, or as members of the clergy . The degree of sophistication put into non-official cover stories varies considerably. Sometimes, an agent will simply be appointed to a position in

1620-476: A former business associate of his, Howard Watts. Watts met with Green in December 1981 and reported to the agents that Green was willing to help them in undetermined activities for "green stamps". The FBI took this as an indication that Green was soliciting bribes, though Watts later admitted that he had lied about this portion of their conversation to receive money from the agents. Drdak paid Watts $ 5,000 for setting up

1728-668: A furniture warehouse in Fayetteville in an insurance fraud scheme and thus delay the arson indefinitely. The FBI made a series of arrests related to Colcor in Columbus and Bladen counties on July 29, 1982. Colcor activities ended in December. According to FBI Agent in Charge of North Carolina Robert Pence, over the course of the investigation the bureau seized over $ 500,000 worth of illegal narcotics and recovered $ 1 million in stolen property. The operation cost $ 135,000 to execute, not including

1836-549: A gambling club in his town. On December 9, 1980, Lowery agreed with Redden to protect a gambling club from police interference in exchange for $ 100 a week in bribes. Lowery ultimately collected $ 1,600. Redden suffered a heart attack in January 1981 and decided to retire. The FBI enlisted agent Robert J. Drdak to replace him, and Redden introduced Drdak to Lowery as a trusted business associate, Thomas "Doc" Ryan. As part of their cover, Drdak and other agents pretended to have connections with

1944-556: A gang investigative unit. Less than half of Wilmington's population is religiously affiliated (47.30%), with the majority of practitioners being Christian . The two largest Christian denominations in Wilmington are Protestant: Baptists (14.66%) and Methodists (8.29%), followed by Roman Catholics (7.42%). There are also a significant number of Presbyterians (3.19%), Episcopalians (2.30%), Pentecostals (1.45%), and Lutherans (1.32%). Other Christian denominations make up 7.02%, and

2052-454: A gold bracelet to thank him for his help, though Soles offered to pay for it. Nevertheless, the metals bill passed in July. Williamson ultimately accepted over $ 10,000 in payment from the agents. By August 1981, Drdak and Hoferkamp were tiring of their metals front and wanted to open a bar instead. On August 18, the agents met Williamson in their rented townhouse—equipped with discrete microphones and

2160-469: A jury trial he was found not guilty of the first charge, while a judge dismissed the other three. Lieutenant Governor Green was found not guilty on state bribery charges by a jury, arguing during his trial that he was only "smoking and probing" during his conversations with undercover operatives and was worried that they might be involved with his son. State Representative Taylor was found guilty of state charges for arson and federal racketeering offences. He

2268-616: A later phone conversation, Green told Drdak, "if something comes up where I can be of assistance, ah, without, ah, jeopardizing myself, well, I'll always be glad to help." After being supplied an address for his political campaign committee, Drdak mailed Green a fake $ 2,000 check as a campaign contribution . Green received it on April 18. He did not deposit it, instead having an aide keep it aside until he returned it to Drdak on April 29 during their last meeting. Drdak and Hoferkamp were introduced to State Representative G. Ronald Taylor by Watts. Taylor's family business, Taylor Manufacturing Company,

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2376-952: A major water source for the region. It was also revealed that the same plant had been discharging the chemical compound since 1980. In 2020, then-President Donald Trump designated Wilmington as the first World War II Heritage City in the country due to the city's contributions during the war. The Audubon Trolley Station , Brookwood Historic District , Carolina Heights Historic District , Carolina Place Historic District , City Hall/Thalian Hall , Delgrado School , Federal Building and Courthouse , Fort Fisher , Gabriel's Landing , James Walker Nursing School Quarters , Market Street Mansion District , Masonboro Sound Historic District , Moores Creek National Battlefield , Sunset Park Historic District , USS North Carolina (BB-55) National Historic Landmark , Westbrook-Ardmore Historic District , William Hooper School (Former) , Wilmington Historic District , and Wilmington National Cemetery are listed on

2484-541: A meeting between him and the lieutenant governor in January 1982. Drdak told Green he intended to establish a nightclub in Bolton and wanted his help in obtaining necessary licenses and avoiding scrutiny. Green interacted with undercover agents several times, including a meeting at a restaurant in Raleigh where Green openly voiced his concern that they might be FBI agents and that he was being baited into an Abscam -like operation. The agents denied being law enforcement officers and maintained that they were business investors. In

2592-512: A new name, Wilmington, in honor of Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington . Some early settlers of Wilmington came from the Albemarle and Pamlico regions, as well as from the colonies of Virginia and South Carolina , but most new settlers migrated from the northern colonies , the West Indies , and Northern Europe . Many of the early settlers were indentured servants from Northern Europe. As

2700-559: A precious metals shop. They required a license from the county to operate their business. Hunt arranged for them to meet with the chairman of the Columbus County Board of Commissioners, Ed Walton Williamson, who supplied them with the license on March 31. The business, Quality Metals, opened a shop in Whiteville and operated a second store in neighboring Brunswick County. In May, King was replaced by Bradley Hoferkamp, who operated under

2808-562: A public election, Drdak consulted with attorneys at the U.S. Department of Justice, who approved of the plan. The agents then gave an initial $ 200 to Riggins. Meeting with Soles in their townhouse in December, the agents told Soles about their desire to push for a liquor referendum in Bolton. Soles said he would not involve himself in a local referendum as long as Williamson and Riggins—who he considered key political allies—did not oppose it, and refused offers of money for his stance. The undercover agents ultimately supplied Riggins with $ 2,900 to buy

2916-435: A range of genres—have been filmed/produced in or near the city, including The Black Phone , Blue Velvet , The Conjuring , The Crow (1994), Dawson's Creek , Eastbound & Down , Halloween Kills , I Know What You Did Last Summer , Iron Man 3 , One Tree Hill , Outer Banks , Scream (2022), The Summer I Turned Pretty , Super Mario Bros. , and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles . The city

3024-524: A similar concurrent federal investigation into corruption and drug smuggling in Brunswick County . Most of the federal cases were prosecuted by McCullough. Of those indicted, 38 were convicted of crimes, with many reaching plea bargains with prosecutors. The two accused who were not convicted were State Senator Soles and Lieutenant Governor Green. Soles was indicted on federal charges for aiding and abetting bribery, bribery, vote-buying, and perjury . In

3132-568: A third party and spread by mosquitoes in the city. During the Reconstruction era , former free Blacks and newly emancipated freedmen built a community in the city. About 55% of its residents were Black people. At the time, Wilmington was the largest city and the economic capital of the state. Three of the city's aldermen were Black. Black people were also in positions of justice of the peace, deputy clerk of court, street superintendent, coroners, policemen, mail clerks, and mail carriers. At

3240-438: A video camera—and told him of their plants. Columbus County and its communities did not permit the sale of liquor beverages in public establishments. Drdak asked Williamson where it would be easiest to alter the regulations to facilitate the sale of liquor at their bar. Williamson suggested the town of Bolton , a small community of about 560 residents, most of whom were black. Williamson explained that he "could get Bolton done with

3348-474: A week. Most of Harrington Manufacturing Company's buildings were located in Lewiston , Bertie County. Hoferkamp relayed this information to his superiors. The FBI ultimately decided to not warn Bertie County authorities or intervene themselves, convinced that any firm plan for arson activity would include Drdak and Hoferkamp and that the information they had at the time did not justify an intervention, which could blow

Colcor - Misplaced Pages Continue

3456-615: A well-established company which can provide the appropriate opportunities. Other times, entire front companies can be established in order to provide false identities for agents. Examples include Air America , used by the CIA during the Vietnam War, and Brewster Jennings & Associates , used by the CIA in WMD investigations and made public as a result of the Plame affair . Former MI6 officer "Nicholas Anderson" wrote an account of his service in

3564-563: Is home to the Bijou Theater, which began as a tent in 1904 and progressed to a permanent structure in 1906. It operated until 1956, making it the oldest movie theater in the state and one of the oldest, continuously running theaters in the country. In 1910, Charlotte passed Wilmington to become North Carolina's largest city. In the mid-20th century, efforts to preserve many historic building began. Due to this, many historic buildings were listed as National Register of Historic Places . Since

3672-507: Is land and 1.56 square miles (4.0 km ) (2.95%) is water. Wrightsville Beach is a common destination in the Wilmington area. Carolina Beach and Kure Beach also add to the city's attractions. Wilmington has a humid subtropical climate ( Köppen Cfa ), with these characteristics: Wilmington boasts a large historic district encompassing nearly 300 blocks. Abandoned warehouses on downtown's northern end have been recently demolished making room for multimillion dollar projects, such as what

3780-639: Is the principal city of the Wilmington metropolitan area , which includes New Hanover, Brunswick , and Pender counties. As of 2023, the region had an estimated population of 467,337. Wilmington's residential area lies between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean , and the city developed as a commercial port in the colonial era. Toward the end of the 19th century, Wilmington was a majority-black, racially integrated, prosperous city – and

3888-560: The Wilmington Daily Record , one of the few Black-owned newspapers in the state, which was reported to be the only one in the country. In the 1890s, a coalition of Republicans and Populists had gained state and federal offices. The Democrats were determined to reassert their control. Violence increased around elections in this period, as armed White paramilitary insurgents, known as Red Shirts , worked to suppress Black and Republican voting. White Democrats regained control of

3996-612: The 2020 census , there were 115,451 people, 54,673 households, and 27,131 families residing in the city. At the 2013 census estimate , there were 112,067 people and 47,003 households in the city. The population density was 2,067.8 inhabitants per square mile (798.4/km ) and there were 53,400 housing units. The racial composition of the city was: 73.5% White , 19.9% Black or African American , 6.1% Hispanic or Latino American , 1.2% Asian American , 0.5% Native American , 0.1% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander . There were 34,359 households, out of which 20.4% had children under

4104-565: The CIA 's Ishmael Jones spent nearly two decades as a NOC. Many of the agents memorialized without names or dates of service on the CIA Memorial Wall are assumed to have been killed or executed in a foreign country while serving as NOC agents. In nations with established and well-developed spy agencies, the majority of captured non-native NOC agents have, however, historically been repatriated through prisoner exchanges for other captured NOCs as

4212-465: The Cape Fear River , at the confluence of its northwest and northeast branches. The settlement, founded by the first royal governor, George Burrington , was called New Carthage, and then New Liverpool; it gradually took on the name New Town or Newton. Governor Gabriel Johnston soon after established his government there for the North Carolina colony . In 1739 or 1740, the town was incorporated with

4320-597: The Detroit Mafia . Drdak and one agent spent the winter of 1980/1981 managing the gambling establishment in Lake Waccamaw and establishing additional contacts in the community. They closed it in April 1981. Drdak had gained experience in precious metals on a previous assignment. During the spring of 1981, he and another undercover agent involved with the gambling club, Jerry King, sought to further their investigation by opening

4428-480: The Eastern Siouan family. In the early 16th century, Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano , commissioned by the king of France with a French crew, was reportedly the first European to see this area, including the city's present site. The first permanent colonial settlement in the area was established in the 1720s by European settlers . In September 1732, a community was founded on land owned by John Watson on

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4536-550: The FBI field office in Charlotte . FBI agents decided to investigate further and gave Moody money to supply to his cellmate for guidance on benefitting from a protection racket, but he turned up no additional information. Moody was soon thereafter released from jail. He befriend the owner of a lounge, James Carroll, who advised him that he was "attempting to pay off the wrong people" and that Carroll could facilitate bribes. Taking into account

4644-701: The Latter-Day Saints have 0.90%. Much smaller is the proportion of residents who follow Islam (0.46%), and Judaism (0.25%). A small percentage of people practice Eastern religions (0.04%). Wilmington has significant historical religious buildings, such as the Basilica Shrine of St. Mary and the Temple of Israel . Wilmington's industrial base includes electrical, medical, electronic and telecommunications equipment; clothing and apparel; food processing; paper products; nuclear fuel; and pharmaceuticals. Wilmington

4752-598: The National Register of Historic Places . Wilmington is the eastern terminus of Interstate 40 , an east-west freeway that ends 2,554 miles away at Barstow, California , where it joins I-15, the gateway to Southern California. This road passes through many major cities and state capitals along the way. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 52.97 square miles (137.2 km ), of which 51.41 square miles (133.2 km )

4860-568: The 1980s, Wilmington has remained the largest film and television production area in the state; many locations in and outside the city have been used for filming . In 1990, the extension of Interstate 40 to New Hanover County was opened and officially connected the region to the Interstate Highway System . During World War II , Wilmington was the home of the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company . The shipyard

4968-570: The Colcor case, with The News Reporter of Whiteville putting out an editorial which said the level of corruption in the county was exaggerated. Mayor of Whiteville H. B. Whitley said, "I don't think it makes Columbus County worse than any other county." Conversely, W. Horace Carter , the editor of the Tabor City Tribune , wrote "there is plenty of evidence that all is not kosher in Columbus County political circles, as we have charged for years, and

5076-475: The FBI, moved to Whiteville to work as a trucker. Laid off within a few months due to an economic recession , he opened a gaming arcade in Whiteville to make money. In the course of operating the arcade, Moody came under pressure from local officials for small infractions and violations. While in a local jail on an unrelated assault charge, Moody was advised by his cellmate that he had "to pay people off" to operate his business without interruption. He then called

5184-507: The General Assembly, and possibly Lieutenant Governor Jimmy Green . With Williamson's assistance, the undercover agents met with Soles, who agreed to help them weaken the metals legislation. Through June, the agents continued to ask Williamson for updates on the legislation, and he assured them the matter was being dealt with, though he later admitted that he often told them what he thought they wanted to hear. The agents also offered Soles

5292-554: The Harrington Manufacturing Company buildings. Undercover In espionage , an official cover operative is one who assumes a position in an organization with diplomatic ties to the government for which the operative works such as an embassy or consulate. This provides the agent with official diplomatic immunity , thus protecting them from the steep punishments normally meted out to captured spies. Upon discovery of an official cover agent's secret hostile role,

5400-539: The Trail of International Terrorists (Skyhorse Publishing, September 2007, ISBN   978-1-60239-132-1 ). Fictional notable examples include Chuck Barris , who made a satirical claim to have been a NOC with 33 kills in his book and movie Confessions of a Dangerous Mind . Other examples are featured in the books Debt of Honor and The Eleventh Commandment ; the films Mission: Impossible , Spy Game , The Bourne Identity , Safe House , and The Recruit ; and

5508-419: The age of 18 living with them, 33.5% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.5% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.77. In the city, the population was spread out, with 18.4% under

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5616-461: The age of 18, 17.2% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 31,099, and the median income for a family was $ 41,891. Males had a median income of $ 30,803 versus $ 23,423 for females. The per capita income for

5724-526: The alias of Brad Henderson. That month, the agents learned the North Carolina General Assembly was considering strengthening regulations concerning precious metals dealers to prevent the fencing of stolen goods. They asked Williamson if he could use his political connections to alter or halt the legislation. He told them he could secure them a meeting with State Senator R. C. Soles Jr. , a powerful politician who represented Columbus County in

5832-430: The arson. The operation ended in 1982. Of 40 people indicted on state and federal charges, 38 were convicted, while State Senator R. C. Soles Jr. and Lieutenant Governor Jimmy Green were found not guilty on bribery offenses. Columbus County is geographically the third-largest county in North Carolina , United States. In the early 1980s, the county hosted eight incorporated communities and about 51,000 residents. In

5940-452: The bust on an alleged informant, who was another undercover FBI agent. Carroll introduced them to Kenneth and Mary Lou Coleman, two Columbus County cocaine dealers. Kenneth Coleman bragged that he had killed and buried four men on his hog farm and offered to help them dispose of the supposed informant. On July 29, Drdak, Hoferkamp, and Carroll drove to Coleman's farm with the informant bound in the back of their vehicle. Coleman offered to execute

6048-557: The city had a significant community of free people of color , who developed businesses and trades. For a period up to Nat Turner 's rebellion, they had been allowed to vote, carry arms, and serve in the militia. Fears after the rebellion resulted in the state legislature passing laws to restrict the rights of free Blacks. During the Civil War , the port was the major base for Confederate and privately owned blockade runners , which delivered badly needed supplies from England. The Union mounted

6156-465: The city was $ 21,503. About 13.3% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over. Wilmington has an increasing problem with gang violence, and on October 15, 2013, the WPD and NHC sheriff's department created a joint task force to combat gang violence. Just a day later the city council approved $ 142,000 in funding for

6264-472: The completion of I-40. The city successfully annexed the areas of Seagate in 1998 and Masonboro in 2000. The annexation of Monkey Junction was stopped in 2012 by the North Carolina House of Representatives after local backlash. In 2017, a chemical compound called GenX , discharged by a Chemours plant near Fayetteville, North Carolina , was first found to be present in the Cape Fear River ;

6372-581: The country in 2020. The World War II battleship USS  North Carolina , now a war memorial, is moored across from the downtown port area, and is open to the public for tours. Other attractions include the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science and the Children's Museum of Wilmington. The city is home to the University of North Carolina Wilmington . Wilmington is also the home of Cinespace Wilmington ,

6480-410: The county and reported that he was being told to pay bribes to ensure the smooth operation of his business. Their investigation centered on the activities of undercover agents posing as corrupt businessmen with connections to the Detroit Mafia . Using an illegal gambling club and a precious metals business as fronts, the FBI agents successfully implicated a local judge, police chief, and the chairman of

6588-436: The county commission in bribe-taking. In an attempt to investigate election fraud, the agents initiated a referendum to legalize liquor-by-the-drink in the town of Bolton and attempted to buy votes to sway the outcome in favor of legalization, the first time the FBI had ever attempted to manipulate a public election. They also uncovered a scheme by a state legislator to burn down a business rival's warehouses but failed to stop

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6696-472: The cover on the operation. Two Bladen County men under pay from Taylor, White and Graham Franklin Bridgers, drove to Lewiston on the night of April 23. Once there they doused four Harrington Manufacturing Company warehouses with a fuel mixture and set them on fire. Crews from 15 fire departments were needed to control the ensuing inferno. Three warehouses were completely destroyed and another left damaged. The loss

6804-745: The death of Arthur Dobbs ), was brought to Wilmington by Captain Constantine Phipps on a barge from the Diligence , and "was received cordially by the gentlemen of the borough." He was greeted with the firing of seventeen pieces of artillery , and the New Hanover County Regiment of the North Carolina militia , who had lined the streets. This "warm welcome" was spoiled, however, after a dispute arose between Captain Phipps and captains of ships in

6912-504: The enslaved population. Because of the unrest, Tryon moved his seat of government to New Bern instead of Wilmington. On February 18, 1766, two merchant ships arrived without stamped papers at Brunswick Town . Each ship provided signed statements from the collectors at their respective ports of origin that no were stamps available, but Captain Jacob Lobb of the British cruiser Viper seized

7020-580: The first cornerstone was laid, and construction began on a new city hall. A grant from the Thalian Association funded the attached opera house, named Thalian Hall. In 1857, the city opened its first public school, named the Union Free School, on 6th Street between Nun and Church Streets, serving White students. Wilmington had a Black majority population before the Civil War. While most were slaves,

7128-473: The following days. This is the only such coup d'état in United States history. Whites attacked and killed an estimated 10–100 Blacks; no Whites died in the violence. As a result of the attacks, more than 2100 Blacks permanently left the city, leaving a hole among its professional and middle classes. The demographic change was so large that the city became majority White, rather than the majority Black it

7236-803: The government for which they work who assume covert roles in organizations. This is in contrast to an operative with official cover, where they assume a position in their government, such as the diplomatic service , which provides them with diplomatic immunity if their espionage activities are discovered. Operatives under non-official cover do not have this "safety net", and if captured and charged as spies are subject to severe criminal punishments, up to and including execution . Operatives under non-official cover are also usually trained to deny any connection with their government, thus preserving plausible deniability , but also denying them any hope of diplomatic legal assistance – or official acknowledgment of their service. Such an operative or agent may be referred to as

7344-420: The harbor regarding the display of their colors. The townspeople became infuriated with Phipps and threats were made against both sides. After Tryon harangued them for their actions, the townspeople gathered around the barrels of punch and ox he had brought as refreshments. The barrels were broken open, letting the punch spill into the streets; they threw the head of the ox into the pillory , and gave its body to

7452-476: The host nation often declares the agent persona non grata and orders them to leave the country. Official cover operatives are granted a set of governmental protections, and if caught in the act of espionage, they can request diplomatic protection from their government. In other words, official cover operatives are agents officially recognized by their country. In espionage , operatives under non-official cover ( NOC ) are operatives without official ties to

7560-493: The indentured servants gained their freedom and fewer could be persuaded to travel to North America because of improving conditions back home, the settlers imported an increasing number of slaves to satisfy the labor demand. By 1767, African slaves accounted for more than 62% of the population of the Lower Cape Fear region. Many worked in the port as laborers, and some in ship-related trades. Naval stores and lumber fueled

7668-571: The informant before burning his body and burying it. Before this was done, the FBI agents revealed their cover and arrested the Colemans and Carroll. The FBI searched the farm and could not locate the four graves Coleman had mentioned but did locate a ledger which recorded over $ 250,000 in cocaine transactions from August 1981 to January 1982. After failing to make progress through county commissioner Ed Williamson, Drdak and Hoferkamp connected with then-Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina Jimmy Green through

7776-464: The largest domestic television and movie production facility outside California. Dream Stage 10, the facility's newest sound stage, is the third-largest in the United States. It houses the largest special-effects water tank in North America. After the studio complex's opening in 1984, Wilmington became a major center of American film and television production. Numerous movies and television series —in

7884-589: The largest in North Carolina. It suffered what became known as the Wilmington insurrection of 1898 when white supremacists launched a coup that overthrew the legitimately elected local Fusionist government. It resulted in the expulsion of opposition black and white political leaders from the city, destruction of the property and businesses of black citizens, including the city's only black newspaper, and deaths ranging from an estimated 60 to more than 300 people. By 1910, Charlotte overtook Wilmington as North Carolina's largest city. Wilmington's downtown includes

7992-587: The new law, burned an effigy of one town resident who favored the act, and toasted to "Liberty, Property, and No Stamp Duty." On October 31, another crowd gathered in a symbolic funeral of "Liberty". Before the effigy was buried, though, Liberty was found to have a pulse, and celebration ensued. William Houston of Duplin County was appointed stamp receiver for Cape Fear. When Houston visited Wilmington on business, still unaware of his appointment, he recounted, "The Inhabitants immediately assembled about me & demanded

8100-633: The operation. They reported to Terry Peters, the Colcor case agent, who was based in Wilmington . Peters reported to his supervisor in the Charlotte field office, Roger Schweikert, who forwarded information to FBI leaders in Washington D.C. and acted as a liaison with the United States Attorney 's office for the Eastern District of North Carolina , based in Raleigh. On December 3, Redden gave Hunt

8208-505: The opposition, to no avail. On November 18, 1765, he pleaded his case directly to prominent residents of the area. They said the law restricted their rights. When the stamps arrived on November 28 on HMS Diligence , Tryon ordered them to be kept on board. Shipping on the Cape Fear River was stopped, as were the functions of the courts. Tryon, after having received his official commission as governor (a position he had assumed only after

8316-521: The previous complains they had received, upon being informed the FBI initiated an undercover investigation into corruption in Columbus County. Moody arranged for Carroll to meet FBI agent William Redden Jr., who was operating under the alias of Bill Leonard and pretending to be a Charlotte businessman interested in opening a nightclub in Columbus County. Carroll advised Redden that he could bribe District Judge J. Wilton Hunt Jr. into protecting his nightclub, which would allow gambling and prostitution. As Hunt

8424-416: The project, organizers changed the terminus to Weldon . When the railroad line was completed in 1840, it was the longest single line of railroad track in the world. The railroad also controlled a fleet of steamboats that ran between Wilmington and Charleston ; these were used both for passenger travel and freight. Regular boat lines served Fayetteville , and packet lines traveled to northern ports. The city

8532-423: The referendum and issued an opinion arguing that the FBI had interfered with Bolton residents' First Amendment rights . The board forwarded copies of its opinion to the FBI director "to ensure that in the future such operations are not utilized to influence North Carolina elections." The Harrington family and Bertie County officials were also angry that the FBI had not warned them about the potential for arson against

8640-573: The region to swear never to issue stamped paper. The Westminster Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in March 1766. In the 1830s, citizens of Wilmington became eager to take advantage of railroad transportation . At this time, the shipping tonnage registered at Wilmington was 9,035. Plans were developed to build a railroad line from the capital, Raleigh , to Wilmington. When Raleigh citizens declined to subscribe in sufficient number to stock to raise money for

8748-577: The region's economy, both before and after the American Revolution . During the Revolutionary War, the British maintained a garrison at Fort Johnston near Wilmington. Due to Wilmington's commercial importance as a major port, it had a critical role in opposition to the British in the years leading up to the revolution. The city had outspoken political leaders who influenced and led the resistance movement in North Carolina. The foremost of these

8856-447: The salaries of the undercover agents. Drdak and Hoferkamp were commended by the FBI director for their work. The FBI publicly revealed the Colcor operation and the first federal indictments at a press conference on July 29, 1982, in Raleigh. A total of 40 people were indicted for crimes observed during the course of the investigation. The same jury which issued the Colcor indictments also issued indictments resulting from Operation Gateway,

8964-405: The state and ran off the new officers. They overthrew the legitimately elected municipal government. Waddell and his men forced the elected Republican city officials to resign at gunpoint and replaced them with men selected by leading White Democrats. Waddell was elected mayor by the newly seated board of aldermen that day. Prominent Black Americans and White Republicans were banished from the city in

9072-480: The state legislature and sought to impose white supremacy , but some Blacks continued to be elected to local offices. The Wilmington Insurrection of 1898 (also known as the Wilmington Race Riot) occurred as a result of the racially charged political conflict that had occurred in the decades after the Civil War and efforts by White Democrats to re-establish white supremacy and overturn Black voting. In 1898,

9180-479: The television shows The Americans , Burn Notice , Spooks , The Night Manager , Covert Affairs , The Spy , and Patriot . Wilmington, North Carolina Wilmington is a port city in New Hanover County, North Carolina , United States. With a population of 115,451 as of the 2020 census , it is the eighth-most populous city in the state . The county seat of New Hanover County, it

9288-475: The time, Black people accounted for over 30% of Wilmington's skilled craftsmen, such as mechanics, carpenters, jewelers, watchmakers, painters, plasterers, plumbers, stevedores, blacksmiths, masons, and wheelwrights. In addition, they owned 10 of the city's 11 restaurants and were 90% of the city's 22 barbers. The city had more Black bootmakers/shoemakers than White ones, and half of the city's tailors were Black. Lastly, two brothers, Alexander and Frank Manly, owned

9396-414: The tip of your fucking hat" because he could "control the black vote" in a referendum on legalizing liquor-by-the-drink. He advised them to give $ 1,000 to Bolton politician Herbert Riggins to turn out the vote in their favor and suggested they secure the approval of Soles, who he thought would have the ability to stop such a referendum if he disapproved of it. Worried about the ethics concerning manipulating

9504-434: The undercover operation) moved in to bust the transaction. Forrest Hall was arrested even though the FBI originally wanted him to escape. Carroll successfully fled, dropping a gun in the parking lot, and spread word in Columbus County about the arrest, thus keeping Drdak's and Hoferkamp's cover. Drdak and Hoferkamp were later released from police custody, telling their associates they were out on bail pending trial. They pinned

9612-513: The vessels. In response, numerous residents from southern counties met in Wilmington. The group organized as the Sons of Liberty and pledged to block implementation of the Stamp Act. The following day, as many as a thousand men, including the mayor and aldermen of Wilmington, were led by Cornelius Harnett to Brunswick to confront Tryon. The governor was unyielding, but a mob retrieved the seized ships. They forced royal customs officers and public officials in

9720-403: The vote in their favor. A referendum for legalizing liquor-by-the-drink in Bolton was eventually scheduled for April 30, 1982. As the date approached, Riggins and Williamson grew increasingly suspicious of law enforcement discovering their scheme, while the FBI began to hesitate about the propriety of manipulating an election, something it had never done before. The Department of Justice convened

9828-440: The worms are wriggling out of the woodwork." The U.S. House of Representatives published a report on the investigation. The report was critical of the FBI's involvement in the vote-buying sting surrounding the liquor referendum in Bolton, calling their actions "shocking" and accusing the bureau of displaying "insensitivity" in interfering with political processes. The North Carolina State Board of Elections ultimately invalidated

9936-460: The years preceding the Colcor investigation, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation had received several complaints from local police officers and residents about alleged protection rackets run by public officials and election fraud . At the time of the FBI's operation, the county had a reputation for intense political competition marked by accusations of fraud and impropriety. In early 1980, Joseph Thomas Moody, an erstwhile paid informant for

10044-477: The yellow fever victims during the outbreak and claimed that the dirtiness of the city and the fumes of the dirty water left by heavy rains caused the disease. By the end of the outbreak at least 1,500 and perhaps as many as 2,000, contracted yellow fever. Of those, between 650 and 800 died, a mortality rate approximately 40 percent Walter Reed would later discover in 1900 that yellow fever was transmitted by mosquitoes, so Wilmington's outbreak had to be introduced by

10152-715: Was Wilmington resident Cornelius Harnett , who was serving in the General Assembly at the time, and where he rallied opposition to the Sugar Act in 1764. When the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act the following year, designed to raise revenue for the Crown with a kind of tax on shipping, Wilmington was the site of an elaborate demonstration against it. On October 19, 1765, several hundred townspeople gathered in protest of

10260-566: Was a main stopover point, contributing greatly to its commerce. By mid-century, the churchyard of St. James Episcopal Church and other town cemeteries had become filled with graves. On November 16, 1853, a group of citizens, organized as "the Proprietors of the Wilmington Cemetery", was formed to develop a new cemetery . Sixty-five acres of land around Burnt Mill Creek were chosen as the site for what would be called Oakdale Cemetery . It

10368-411: Was a public official, any undercover operation aimed at implicating him in criminal activity was deemed "sensitive" and required approval from the FBI's Criminal Undercover Operations Review Committee. In late 1980 the committee and FBI Director William H. Webster approved the operation, codenamed "Colcor", short for "Columbus County Corruption". About a dozen undercover agents were ultimately involved in

10476-443: Was before the coup. Following these events, the North Carolina legislature passed a new constitution that raised barriers to voter registration , imposing requirements for poll taxes and literacy tests that effectively disfranchised most Black voters, following the example of Mississippi. Blacks were essentially excluded from the political system until after the enactment of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 . Wilmington

10584-404: Was created as part of the U.S. government's Emergency Shipbuilding Program . Workers built 243 ships in Wilmington during the five years the company operated. Three prisoner-of-war (POW) camps operated in the city from February 1944 through April 1946. At their peak, the camps held 550 German prisoners. The first camp was located on the corner of Shipyard Boulevard and Carolina Beach Road; it

10692-457: Was devastated by a deadly outbreak of yellow fever . This fever outbreak was brought about by a blockade runner named Kate. Sources suggest that the runner had crew members who were sick before the ship landed, but Dr. W.T. Wragg would later write an article in the New York Journal of Medicine that there were at least five cases in the city before the ship arrived. Dr. Wragg treated many of

10800-554: Was estimated at $ 1.2 million in property, of which the Harringtons were able to recover $ 400,000 in insurance. Unaware of the FBI's knowledge of the conspiracy, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) investigated the fire and arrested the arsonists a few days later. They arrested Taylor on arson conspiracy charges on May 13. Drdak and Hoferkamp were later able to successfully secure an offer to burn down

10908-406: Was found guilty of racketeering, and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment and ordered to pay a $ 10,000 fine. He resigned his judgeship following the conviction. Carroll cooperated with investigators and was sentenced to five years imprisonment for possession of stolen goods. Several others were found guilty of drug distribution charges. Some Columbus County residents were annoyed by the announcement of

11016-424: Was founded in the 1730s. After going through a series of different names (New Carthage, New London, Newton), its name became Wilmington in 1740, named after Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington . The area along the river had been inhabited by various successive cultures of indigenous peoples for thousands of years. At the time of European encounter, historic Native Americans were members of tribes belonging to

11124-400: Was moved downtown to Ann Street, between 8th and 10th Avenues, when it outgrew the original location. A smaller contingent of prisoners was assigned to a third site, working in the officers' mess and doing groundskeeping at Bluethenthal Army Air Base, which is now Wilmington International Airport . Starting in the 1990s, Wilmington began to grow rapidly, partially due to the film industry and

11232-524: Was scared enough by the grand jury to avoid the town during the vote and ultimately spent most of the money he had been given on personal expenses. Over the course of several months in 1981, Hoferkamp purchased several stolen vehicles from Sandy White Jr. of Bladen County. In March 1982, Carroll introduced Drdak and Hoferkamp to two struggling businessmen, Julius Williamson Jr. and Roscoe Forrest Hall. Williamson indicated that he could sell them marijuana, and in early April he sold them 50 pounds. Later that month

11340-399: Was sentenced to 20 years incarceration for the arson violation with five years incarceration for the federal offences to be served concurrently. He resigned his office shortly after the conviction. Watts, White, and Bridgers were also found guilty of state arson charges. County Commissioner Williamson was found guilty of racketeering and sentenced to eight years imprisonment. District Judge Hunt

11448-532: Was struggling and had lost $ 350,000 in a patent infringement lawsuit to Harrington Manufacturing Company, which was owned by State Senator J. J. Harrington of Bertie County . In their first meeting, Taylor asked for the agents to help him procure stolen jewelry, offered his help in smuggling drugs, and accepted an initial $ 1,500 bribe to perform political favors for them. Angered by the lawsuit against his company, Taylor discussed with Drdak and Hoferkamp in their second meeting plans to intimidate Harrington to negotiate

11556-405: Was the first rural cemetery in North Carolina. The cemetery's first interment, on February 6, 1855, was six-year-old Annie deRosset. Many remains from St. James churchyard were relocated to the new cemetery. The Wilmington Gas Light Company was established in 1854. Soon after, streetlights were powered by gas made from lightwood and rosin , replacing the old street oil lamps. On December 27, 1855,

11664-650: Was the world headquarters of Pharmaceutical Product Development and current tallest building in Wilmington at 228 feet (69 m). (The building was then bought by Thermo Fisher Scientific . In 2023, it was bought by the City of Wilmington and renamed "Skyline Center". It is now the main building for city government operations. ) Other completed projects include a state-of-the-art convention center, Live Oak Bank Pavilion, Pier 33 Apartments, and The Cove houseboat community in Port City Marina. Downtown / Old Wilmington As of

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