A man who calls himself North Carolina’s highest-ranking Bloods gang member is facing shocking new accusations. Darrius “King Blood” Tyson, 32, is accused of impregnating both a jail officer and a jail nurse while being held in custody at the Durham County Detention Facility. Prosecutors also claim he used his influence to organize drug smuggling inside the jail.
The story took another twist when Assistant District Attorney Mary Jude Darrow revealed in court that two jail employees have been arrested in connection with the case. According to arrest warrants, the alleged misconduct happened on August 1, but details about the pregnancies and whether the babies were born remain unclear.
Two Jail Employees Arrested
Jade Shanicia Lanique Robertson, 27, a former detention officer, was arrested in September and charged with having illegal sexual contact with a detainee. Robertson, who joined the sheriff’s office in 2019 and worked as a sergeant, was fired immediately after her arrest.
L’Erin Burnette, 41, a nurse contracted to work at the jail, also faces similar charges. Both women were released on $25,000 unsecured bonds and are due in court on December 3.
In a statement, Durham County Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead expressed his disappointment. “This behavior doesn’t reflect the values or training of our agency,” he said. “We hold ourselves to the highest standards.”
Defense Claims Tyson Is a Victim
Tyson’s lawyer, Daniel Meier, made an unexpected claim in court: Tyson was actually the victim in this case. By law, detainees cannot give consent, making any sexual activity with them illegal, Meier argued.
“He was sexually assaulted by two employees who are now charged with felonies,” Meier told the judge. “This is a Class E felony. He’s a victim in these cases.”
Facing Murder Charges
Tyson is no stranger to the law. In February, he’ll go to trial for charges related to the disappearance of Shawn Burton, a 44-year-old father of six. Burton vanished on March 22, 2022, and his body has never been found. Tyson and others allegedly restrained and injured Burton, moving him from place to place without his consent. According to court documents, Burton wasn’t released in a safe condition and was “seriously injured.”
Burton’s wife recounted the night her husband disappeared. “He left the house at night, saying he was going to the club to promote an event,” she said. “That was the last time I saw him.”
A Troubled Past
Tyson’s criminal history includes more than a decade in prison for a 2010 murder during an attempted robbery when he was just 18. His conviction was overturned in 2020 after it was revealed prosecutors had withheld crucial evidence.
Since his recent arrest, Tyson has been moved to Central Prison in Raleigh, where he remains in custody.
What’s Next?
This bizarre and troubling case continues to unfold, leaving many questions unanswered. As Tyson prepares to face a murder trial in February, the accusations against him and the two jail staff members add another layer of controversy to an already complicated story. Stay tuned as more details emerge.