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SMITHFIELD — Chad Lee, a Smithfield lawyer reported missing this week, had gone to Wilmington to take a vacation from his mounting legal woes, Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell said Friday.

Bizzell and a sheriff's deputy found Lee, 32, behind a motel on a commercial strip near U.S. 117 just after midnight Friday.

''He said he just needed a break," Bizzell said. "He needed to get away from everyone. I guess he's entitled to a vacation."

Lee faces dozens of felony obstructing justice charges related to a scheme to illegally dismiss drunken driving cases. He and five others are awaiting trial.

Lee's father reported him missing this week, saying no one in the family had seen Lee for nearly a month. He had missed court appearances in the last few weeks in which he was expected to represent clients. Friends and family had worried about his emotional stability in the wake of the criminal charges he faces.

Bizzell said he had a "gut feeling" that Lee was in Wilmington. He decided to drive there late Thursday night.

''I thought if I could get myself down there I could find him," Bizzell said.

Bizzell spotted Lee's truck parked behind the third motel he checked on Market Street. Bizzell said he saw Lee walking behind the motel. Bizzell hollered out to him, saying he was glad Lee was alive and well.

''I don't think he realized everybody had been looking for him," Bizzell said.

Bizzell told Lee to grab his stuff and that he'd drive him home. Chief Deputy Bengie Gaddis drove Lee's truck, while Lee rode with Bizzell.

''We talked about the economy," Bizzell said. "We talked about my election. We talked about everything but his mess."

Lee had spent the last several days driving around the coast and spending time at the beach. Bizzell said Lee indicated he had intended to head home Monday.

Lee was reunited with his family about 3 a.m. Friday.

Lee broke no laws skipping town. He is out on bond awaiting trial. There were no restrictions on his release that would have prevented a trip to Wilmington.