A pastor wrongfully arrested several decades ago has been met with silence from his town after he filed a lawsuit over his conviction.

According to Reflector, Pastor Darron Antonio Carmon of Winterville, North Carolina, was arrested in a 1994-armed robbery and initially sentenced to 40 years in prison. He was released for good behavior after serving eight years.

ChurchLeaders.com reports that Carmon later founded Rebuild Christian Center Church in Winterville and Greater Village Gate Church in Lewiston and launched several nonprofit organizations, including People Against Racism. During the pandemic, Carmon's church was used as a vaccine clinic. The pastor has also led various community projects, including feeding people in need.

Winterville previously honored Carmon by naming him the town's Hero of the Year. This year's observance, however, was canceled because of a lawsuit filed by the pastor against the town and two former police officers involved in his arrest. Carmon was exonerated for armed robbery last year, but he is now seeking pardon for the crime he was wrongfully accused of committing. Carmon filed the lawsuit last month.

Since filing the suit, Winterville has withdrawn its support and recognition of Carmon.

"Winterville's response right now is to not say anything, not talk to me," Carmon told Reflector. "These are people who called me, talked to me. They wanted to use my church. You can Google that. We partnered with ECU and the mayor wanted to use my church so they could vaccinate people during the pandemic."

"We were very active for the city during that time," he added.

While Carmon is unbothered by the lack of accolades this year, he does find the silent treatment from the officers and his town disheartening.

"Their lack of recognition now is because of the lawsuit, and it's kind of like victimizing the person twice," Carmon said. "It's one thing to run into someone's car and damage their car. It's another thing to drive off. Winterville is trying to drive off."

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