On Dec. 17, 2016, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a registered sex offender moved from his current residence on Old Blounts Creek Road and failed to register his change of address within the time required by the state.

On Jan. 1, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office learned the same sex offender who registered at another address on Whichards Beach Road, never actually moved to that address. The Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation and learned that Michael Gene Paschall, 33, of Chocowinity, stayed at a residence between Jan. 1 and Jan. 6, on Ann Street in Chocowinity and never registered at that address. While staying at the Ann Street residence, Paschall was suspected of stealing a firearm. After the investigation into those offenses, Paschall was charged with three counts of failure to notify change of address, as required by law to the sheriff’s office with jurisdiction, and one count each of larceny of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Also in early January, a breaking and entering and larceny of a firearm was reported to the sheriff’s office by a resident of Old Blounts Creek Road in Chocowinity. Paschall was developed as a suspect in that case and charged with one count each of breaking and entering, larceny of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon.

After the sheriff’s office received a Crime Stoppers tip, Paschall was arrested Jan. 17, in Pitt County and transported to Beaufort County Detention Center. Paschall was ordered held by a magistrate on a $25,000 secured bond.

On Wednesday, Paschall was served with another charge of possession of a firearm by a felon after investigators learned he conducted the private sale of a gun to a citizen of Beaufort County in June 2016. Another $15,000 was added to his bond.

Paschall is suspected of numerous breaking and enterings and likely faces more criminal charges after the investigation is completed.