Murphy Police Department announced that Officer Brayden Snow was awarded the Western DWI Task Force pin in recognition of his outstanding efforts in impaired driving enforcement and his continued commitment to protecting the citizens of Murphy and Cherokee County. In addition to his enforcement efforts, Snow has demonstrated a strong commitment to ongoing training and professional development. The DWI Task Force pin, presented in partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), is awarded to officers who demonstrate exceptional dedication to removing impaired drivers from the road and enhancing public safety.
MURPHY
Bail bond scam alert
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public about a recent scam attempt in the community.
A local citizen contacted the sheriff’s office after receiving a call from a man claiming to be “Deputy Marcus” with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. The caller demanded $2,500 to release the citizen’s nephew from jail on an ankle monitor.
When the citizen put the caller on speaker phone and Chief Deputy Joe Wood confronted him, the scammer immediately hung up.
This is a textbook example of the bail bonding scam.
How the scam typically works: Scammers call and claim your loved one has been arrested and is in jail.
They demand money (cash, bitcoin, wire transfer, gift cards, etc.) to “bond them out” or place them on an ankle monitor.
Many times they will put a second person on the phone who sounds hysterical, screaming and pleading for you to pay the bond — making the victim believe it is actually their family member.
Important reminders: The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office will NEVER call citizens demanding payment over the phone for someone’s release.
The sheriff’s office does not handle bond payments.
Legitimate bonds are processed through the magistrate and court system or licensed bonding companies – never by a deputy calling you out of the blue.
If you receive one of these calls, hang up immediately and report it to the sheriff’s office.
HAYESVILLE
Major meth supplier alleged
A joint investigation conducted by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the arrest of a significant methamphetamine supplier operating within both counties.
Rennie Davenport, 63, of Hayesville, was taken into custody at his residence on April 2. At the time of his arrest, Davenport was found in possession of more than 300 grams of methamphetamine, officials allege.
Investigators have identified Davenport as a major source of supply contributing to the distribution of methamphetamine throughout Clay and Cherokee counties.
A second individual, Kevin Durden, remains at large.
Durden fled law enforcement and was later hospitalized in North Georgia following a motorcycle crash sustained during his attempt to evade capture. He subsequently escaped from the hospital and is currently being sought on outstanding charges.
Anyone with information regarding Durden’s whereabouts is urged to contact their local law enforcement agency.
“Criminal activity doesn’t stop at county lines, and neither do we,” Cherokee County Sheriff Chris Wood said. “The challenges faced by our partners at the Clay County Sheriff’s Office are challenges we share. By working this case together, we’ve disrupted the flow of illegal drugs impacting both of our communities. I want to thank Sheriff Buchanan and Chief Deputy Faggard for their partnership and commitment to protecting the citizens we serve.”
MURPHY
Months-long conclusion
Agents with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division, along with detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division, executed a search warrant at a residence on Barnett Road.
As a result of the search, suspected methamphetamine was seized. At the time the warrant was executed, the resident was not present. Authorities subsequently obtained an arrest warrant for Jeffery Kenneth Stiles, 56, of Barnett Road near Peachtree.
Stiles later surrendered himself to the Cherokee County Detention Center and has been charged with the following:
• Felony trafficking in methamphetamine;
• Felony maintaining a dwelling;
• Simple possession of a Schedule II controlled substance;
• Possession of drug paraphernalia.
Stiles was issued a secured bond of $100,000.
This arrest is the result of a coordinated investigation that has led to the apprehension of numerous individuals on drug-related charges.
“I have said from the beginning that the success of this office hinges on the dedicated work of our deputies,” Sheriff Chris Wood said. “They work long hours and remain relentless in their efforts to keep Cherokee County safe. Through their dedication and strong partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions, we are making a noticeable impact on the availability of illegal substances.”
Arrest report
The following people were booked through the Cherokee County Detention Center from April 5-11, 2026, and federal law enforcement officers handled the cases. Those whose names appear should be presumed innocent unless proven guilty. To report criminal activity, citizens may call the automated tip line at 828-837-1344.
Bryan Kasey Austin, Andrews, 41, 4-5, weekender.
Johnathan Berry Brown, Murphy, 41, 4-5, two counts probation violation, assault on a female, second-degree trespass.
Raymond Anthony Callahan, Murphy, 52, 4-5, driving while impaired.
Mark Wayne Carver, Robbinsville, 53, 4-5, holding for other agency.
Ashley Zeola Mitchell, Murphy, 38, 4-6, resisting public officer, communicating threats, assault government official/employee.
Marcus Mckinnley Morrow, Murphy, 25, 4-6, three counts failure to appear on a felony.
Anisa Lynne Rattler, Andrews, 44, 4-6, probation violation.
William Dean Rogers, Murphy, 37, 4-6, simple assault.
Dalton Arthur Tillet, Andrews, 27, 4-6, two counts probation violation.
Wayne Stewart Bailey, Andrews, 52, 4-7, second-degree trespass, possess controlled substance prison/jail premises.
Zackery Eugene Greene, Marble, 38, 4-7, sentenced.
Cody Stewart Dockery, Warne, N.C., 34, 4-8, holding for other agency.
Landon Joseph Edwards, Robbinsville, 23, 4-9, holding for other agency.
Robert Junior Smith III, Union Mills, N.C., 30, 4-9, SMCP.
Carrie Rebecca Abernethy, Andrews, 41, 4-10, weekender.
Mario Benson, Andrews, 54, 4-10, weekender.
Gaige Colby Cox, Murphy, 29, 4-10, injury to personal property, simple assault.
Ralph Reginald Cox, Murphy, 51, 4-10, assault inflict serious injury.
Kevin Eugene Johnson, Marion, N.C., 41, 4-10, SMCP.
Lisa Bauser Mata, Andrews, 48, 4-10, failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
Erica Paige McRae, Andrews, 38, 4-10, weekender.
Joan Marie Steiner, Hendersonville, 65, 4-10, driving while impaired.
Angela Danielle Grady, Blairsville, Ga., 44, 4-11, failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
David Wayne Houston, Hiawassee, Ga., 36, 4-11, driving while impaired, resisting public officer, fail to maintain lane control.
Johnny Jones, Andrews, 60, 4-11, failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
Mary Sue Brown Nichols, Murphy, 63, 4-11, simple assault.
Colby Brett Phillips, Murphy, 26, 4-11, assault with a deadly weapon government camp comp officer/employee, conspire traffic methamphetamine, sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, three counts traffic in methamphetamine, flee/elude arrest with a motor vehicle, resisting public officer, no operator’s license, fail to heed light and siren, reckless driving to endanger, fail to wear seatbelt – driver, failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
Patrick James Sizemore, Murphy, 29, 4-11, flee/elude arrest with a motor vehicle, driving while license revoked not impaired revoked, reckless driving to endanger.
David Scott Sloan, Marble, 56, 4-11, safekeeping.