PEACHTREE
Kitchen fire is contained
Peachtree Fire & Rescue, with mutual aid from Murphy Fire Department and Valleytown Fire & Rescue, responded to a residential structure fire at 30 Greenlawn Cemetery Road at 11:24 p.m. Thursday.
The first engine from Peachtree Fire & Rescue arrived on seven minutes later and found a single-story residential structure with heavy smoke venting from two sides of the home. Fire crews quickly deployed hose lines and initiated an aggressive interior offensive strategy, successfully confining the fire to the kitchen area of the residence, Fire Chief Jordan Messer said.
“Working smoke detectors alerted the occupants to the fire, allowing them to safely evacuate the home before crews arrived. Fortunately, no injuries were reported,” Messer said.
He reminded residents that working smoke detectors are critical for early warning and can save lives in the event of a fire.
The fire was determined to have been caused by an electrical malfunction involving a kitchen outlet in the kitchen. Peachtree Fire & Rescue thanked the Murphy Fire Department and Valleytown Fire & Rescue for their rapid response and assistance.
“Their continued partnership and support help ensure the safety of our community,” Messer said.
A Give, Send, Go account was set up for the family affected by the fire.
Holly and Keaton Killian and their three young children “lost everything they owned in an unexpected fire. Amid the chaos, there was no time for anything but survival – escaping with nothing more than the clothes on their backs, surrounded by uncertainty as to what lay ahead.
“The Killians are faced with a stark reality: they have nowhere to live and not even a stitch of new clothing for themselves or their three young children, ages 2, 4, and 6,” according to the account.
Donations can be sent to givesendgo.com/hollyandkeatonfire.
RANGER
Man found in chimney
A man whose residence was targeted by a warrant was reportedly found hiding inside his chimney as deputies searched the property.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics and Criminal Investigations divisions executed a search warrant at 296 Hampton Church Road on March 3. The occupants of the residence were detained while officers conducted a search of the home. While searching, officers noticed debris on the floor that appeared to have fallen from the ceiling. Officers searched the attic and located a man hiding inside a chimney.
During the search, officers recovered suspected methamphetamine along with drug paraphernalia. Horace “Bubbah” Moneymaker of Murphy has been charged with the following:
- felony conspiracy to traffick methamphetamine;
- felony conspiracy to sell methamphetamine;
- felony possession of methamphetamine;
- possession of drug paraphernalia.
Moneymaker remained in custody at the Cherokee County Detention Center in lieu of $10,000 secured bond and $7,500 in unsecured bond, but trumping both the conspire to traffic methamphetamine charge from the Murphy Police Department, for which he is being held without bond.
“I am proud of the work of these officers,” said Sheriff Chris Wood, who assisted with the execution of the search warrant. “I have made it a priority for this office to aggressively target and apprehend those who choose to bring drugs into our county. If you are dealing drugs in Cherokee County, I hope you see our work this week. We will be seeing you soon.”.
MARTINS CREEK
Drug suspect sought again
Law enforcement is looking for a Martins Creek man who fled after he was stopped by a Cherokee County sheriff’s deputy.
A Cherokee County narcotics agent attempted to stop Colby Brett Phillips, 25, of 2746 Martins Creek Road, on March 4. Phillips stopped his vehicle but as the agent approached, Phillips drove the vehicle at the agent and endangering him before driving off, according to a release.
The agent located the vehicle abandoned in a private residential neighborhood. Residents said it had come through at a high speed.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and Clay County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Phillips’ residence on March 4, when 250 grams of methamphetamine was seized.
As a result of this investigation, agents have recovered about 278 grams of methamphetamine. Phillips faces charges of:
- three counts of trafficking in methamphetamine;
- felony sell or deliver methamphetamine;
- felony conspiracy to traffick methamphetamine;
- felony flee to elude arrest with a motor vehicle;
- reckless driving to endanger and numerous other misdemeanor charges.
This investigation is the third recent case involving Phillips, who was out on bonds (two previous instances) for trafficking in methamphetamine in and around Cherokee County. Phillips is wanted and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance in locating him.
POLK COUNTY, Tenn.
Drug probe ends in arrest
A three-month, multi-agency narcotics investigation with ties to Cherokee County ended in the March 4 arrest of Dewayne Stillwell, 52, of Chattanooga, Tenn., by the Polk County, Tenn., Sheriff’s Office.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division began investigating Stillwell at the end of 2025 after receiving information that he was transporting large quantities of methamphetamine from Chattanooga, to Cherokee County.
This information remained consistent throughout the investigation and after executing a search warrant, resulted in the arrest of Ezekiel Seth Curtis and Erika Jenkins on March 2.
Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office agents confirmed that Stillwell was transporting pounds of methamphetamine into Cherokee County on a weekly basis. Due to the drugs originating in Chattanooga, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office agents contacted the Tennessee Drug Task Force and Polk County Sheriff’s Office to request their assistance with the investigation and apprehension of Stillwell.
On March 4, Polk County Sheriff’s Office Agents contacted Cherokee County narcotics agents and provided information that Stillwell had been in Ducktown, Tenn. A search of his vehicle uncovered several pounds of methamphetamine, more than an ounce of fentanyl, alprazolam pills, marijuana, two firearms and almost $10,000 in cash.
Stillwell was arrested and is confined in the Polk County Detention Center without bond.
“The success of this investigation rests on the excellent cooperation and teamwork between our office, Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and The Tennessee Drug Task Force,” the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said in a release.
HANGING DOG
Self-inflicted gunshot death
A 50-year-old Louisiana man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on March 3.
Cherokee County sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a man suffering from a gunshot wound. Upon their arrival, bystanders had already begun rendering aid to the victim. It was quickly determined that the gunshot had been self-inflicted.
He succumbed to his injuries on scene. No charges are expected to be filed.
The Cherokee Scout does not name suicide victims unless it’s a public person, occurs in a public place or results in criminal charges.
MURPHY
Myers to lead patrol squad
Cherokee County Sheriff Chris Wood announces the promotion of Sean Myers from the Narcotics Division to the rank of captain over the Patrol Division.
Myers has served with Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for nine years. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for seven years.
“Myers will continue to be an asset to this office and the citizens of Cherokee County in his new role,” Wood said in a release.
Myers replaces David Williams as patrol captain. Williams remains with the sheriff’s office in a part-time role, Wood said.
PEACHTREE
Blood drive set Thursday
A Blood Assurance drive will be held from 10 a.m. p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at Tri-County Community College, 21 Campus Circle off of U.S. 64 East Alternate.
Donors will get “lucky me” socks.
Details: Schedule your appointment at bloodassurance.org/tricounty.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown. Editor Randy Foster contributed to this report.
Arrests
The following people were booked through the Cherokee County Detention Center from March 1-7, 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.
Cleotis Hunt, Lawrenceville, Ga., 45, 3-1, assault on a female.
Tyler Joseph Morgan, Bryson City, N.C., 26, 3-1, holding for other agency, misdemeanor probation violation out of county.
David Scott Odom, Robbinsville, 56, 3-1, six counts failure to appear on a felony, failure to appear on a misdemeanor, possess methamphetamine, no liability insurance, driving while license revoked not impaired revoked.
Robert Seth Carver, Robbinsville, 42, 3-2,
sentenced.
Christopher Shane Cooper, Andrews, 26, 3-2, sexual battery, two counts probation violation.
Ezekiel Seth Curtis, Murphy, 48, 3-2, two counts possess schedule II controlled substance, maintain place for controlled
substance.
Cody Ray Dow, Andrews, 33, 3-2, sentenced.
Dustin Allen Graves, Andrews, 47, 3-2, failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
Erica Rae Jenkins, Murphy, 43, 3-2, possess methamphetamine.
Jesse Oliver Maier, Morganton, Ga., 45, 3-2, extradition/fugitive other state.
Brian Lee Maxwell, Murphy, 29, 3-2, possess methamphetamine, extradition/fugitive other state.
Donita Waldroup Guest, Bryson City, 51, 3-3, holding for other agency.
Johnny Jearald Johnson, Murphy, 41, 3-3, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, assault on a female.
Steven Lynden Parker, Andrews, 35, 3-3,
sentenced.
Patrick James Sizemore, Murphy, 29, 3-3, sentenced.
Kenneth Charles Smith, Hayesville, 51, 3-3,
sentenced.
Stephanie Dawn Burrell, Murphy, 50, 3-4, aid and abet larceny.
William Vincent Cody, Hayesville, 45, 3-4, writ of habeas corpus.
Joshua Cagney Hughes, Turtletown, Tenn., 40, 3-4, two counts failure to appear on a felony.
Siera Kaitlin Lowe, Hayesville, 20, 3-4, possess methamphetamine.
Horace William Moneymaker, Murphy, 58, 3-4, conspire sell methamphetamine, possess methamphetamine, possess drug paraphernalia, conspire traffic methamphetamine.
Allison Brooke Ware, Marble, 34, 3-4, larceny by employee.
Makenna Elaine Wilson, Andrews, 21, 3-4, three counts failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
Casey Todd Woods, Andrews, 30, 3-4, failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
Kala Marie Bueno, Cullowhee, N.C., 34, 3-5, SMCP.
Donald Bruce Morrow, Murphy, 59, 3-5, hit/run leave scene of property damage, resisting public officer, no operator’s license, operate vehicle no insurance, cancel/revoke/suspended certificate/tag, fail to surrender title/registration card/tag, reckless driving wanton disregard, fail to report accident.
Treavor Teesateskie, Marble, 56, 3-5, failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
Bryan Kasey Austin, Andrews, 41, 3-6, weekender.
Mario Benson, Andrews, 54, 3-6, weekender.
Timothy Rebal Cable, Robbinsville, 35, 3-6, holding for other agency.
Brian Anthony Cross, Marble, 34, 3-6, weekender.
Sonja Leia Godsey, Murphy, 38, 3-6, misdemeanor larceny.
Jesse Lloyd Jenkins, Robbinsville, 46, 3-6, holding for other agency.
Emily Shae Muse, Murphy, 24, 3-6, two counts probation violation, failure to appear on a felony.
David Scott Sloan, Marble, 56, 3-6, driving while impaired.
Dalton Arthur Tillet, Andrews, 27, 3-6, weekender.
Rajeshkumar Pithubhai Chaudhari, Chattanooga, Tenn., 49, 3-7, intoxicated and disruptive.
William Brandon Duren, Murphy, 41, 3-7, resisting public officer.
Brian Hogan, Murphy, 46, 3-7, misdemeanor reckless driving, wanton disregard, driving while license revoked not impaired revoked, fictitious/altered title/registration card/tag, extradition/fugitive other state.
Travis Wesley Orr, homeless, 38, 3-7, assault with a deadly weapon, injury to personal property, larceny of motor vehicle, flee/elude arrest with a motor vehicle, resisting public officer.
Brian Lee Whitener, Murphy, 56, 3-7, failure to appear on a felony.