Homeless man is
likely going to jail
Mineral Bluff, Ga. – A habitual felon who pled guilty to six counts of breaking and entering in Cherokee County earlier this year has been arrested again.
Kevin Dewayne Cornwell, 40, was arrested in Fannin County, Ga., on July 21 following an alleged crime spree that spanned four counties.
Cherokee County officials say surveillance video captured Cornwell using a baseball bat to break a window at the Cannon Club on U.S. 64 West in Murphy on July 14. Police accuse Cornwell of climbing through the window, then stealing several items from inside the property before leaving via the rear door. Georgia resident Cristy Beasley is accused of being Cornwell’s getaway driver during the heist.
Detectives from law enforcement agencies in North Carolina and Georgia raided Beasley’s home in Mineral Bluff, where they found she and Cornwell in possession of property allegedly stolen from Cherokee, Clay, Fannin, and Towns counties. Beasley and Cornwell are accused of burglarizing several businesses in Cherokee County, an art gallery in Clay County, two houses in Fannin County and a jewelry store in Towns County.
Police found the duo in possession of a pistol that was allegedly stolen from one of the homes in Fannin County. In addition, officials say the pair admitted to several other attempted burglaries in Cherokee County that are still under investigation.
Both suspects remain in custody of Georgia officials to face charges levied by law enforcement in that state. They will be transported to North Carolina later to face charges in Cherokee and Clay counties. Deputies from the Cherokee, Clay, Fannin, and Towns counties sheriff’s offices participated in the investigation.
Cornwell, who is homeless, is no stranger to Cherokee County law enforcement. He was convicted for similar burglary offenses in 2008, 2009, and 2015.
He pled guilty to six counts of breaking and entering in April, when a judge sentenced him to serve 7½-13½ years in prison. However, the prison stints were suspended for 60 months in order for Cornwell to pay restitution to some of the victims.
With Cornwell being arrested on new charges, he most likely will be served with probation violations and forced to serve his entire active prison sentence.