MURPHY
Scam alert issued
A fake “Notice of Default” for a parking or toll violation is making the rounds and prompted an alert by state and county law enforcement.
A Cherokee County sheriff’s detective even received one.
“Even we aren’t immune to being targeted with scams,” the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said. “This was received via text message by one of our detectives today.”
It’s important to remember that law enforcement and government agencies do not conduct business this way, according to the sheriff’s office.
“In the event you do fall for such a scam, feel free to contact us and file a report but keep in mind that any money you’ve sent to them would be a donation to the scammers as it cannot be recovered,” the sheriff’s office said.
Attorney General Jeff Jackson sent out an alert for the same scam on March 27.
“It references N.C. laws, a case number, a court date, a judge – none of it is real,” according to Jackson’s office. “If you look closely, even the state seal was generated by AI. The text around it is gibberish.”
The goal is to scare you into scanning a QR code and handing over your money or personal information, according to law enforcement.
Jackson’s office advises that If you get such a text, delete it and block the sender.
“Official government agencies will never text you to demand payment,” Jackson’s office said.
If you’re concerned about an actual traffic or parking violation, contact the N.C. Department of Motor Vehicles directly.
HANGING DOG
Arrests made for break-in
A home security camera system helped Cherokee County sheriff’s deputies arrest two people following a break-in of a tool shed on March 30.
Deputies responded to the break-in in the Hanging Dog community after the victim reported that his video camera recorded a man and a woman stealing property from the shed.
The victim posted photographs from the security footage to his Facebook page, which generated leads from the community, the sheriff’s office said.
“Maybe Brian Whitener? Looks like him and the vehicle he has been driving,” one person who viewed the post commented.
Members of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, with assistance from the Patrol Division, identified and located two suspects.
On March 31, detectives arrested Brian Lee Whitener, 59, and Amanda Sheree Whitener, 53, both of Ogreeta. They were both charged with felony breaking and entering and felony larceny. Detectives recovered the stolen property – a Stihl chainsaw valued at $900 – and returned it to the victim.
Whitener remained in custody at the Cherokee County Detention Center in Murphy as of Monday under a $25,000 secured bond. Amanda Sheree Whitener was released after posting a $10,000 secured bond.
MURPHY
Roundup has a new update
A Georgia woman who was caught up in a sheriff’s office roundup on March 23 allegedly gave law enforcement a fake ID that enabled her to evade custody.
Following a targeted operation that resulted in 20 arrests around March 23, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said “it came to our attention – because surprises keep things interesting – that one of the arrestees provided false identification. Regrettably (and quite avoidably), this has resulted in additional charges.”
Stephanie Michelle Vega Burgos, 28, of Hiawassee, Ga., was initially facing misdemeanor charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting a public officer. She is now facing felony charges of identify theft and obstructing justice.
Vega Burgos was arrested in Clay County on April 4 and was released after posting a $15,000 secured bond.
On March 31, deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office arrested Justin Phillips, who had been accompanying Vega Burgos, on a felony charge of aiding and abetting – “because apparently poor decisions prefer company,” the sheriff’s office noted.
Phillips, 38, of Martins Creek, was being held in the Cherokee County Detention Center with bond set at $50,000.00 secured.
Between her initial brush with law and later arrest, the sheriff’s office expressed a willingness to meet her.
“If you happen to see Stephanie out and about, please feel free to let her know that we would very much appreciate the opportunity to continue this conversation in a more official setting,” the sheriff’s office said.
ANDREWS
‘Predator’ is arrested
A Cherokee County sheriff’s detective reopened a cold case and wound up arresting an Andrews man on felony charges.
At the end of February, Detective Mylie Sparks with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office reopened a cold case originally reported in 2022 involving serious allegations of child exploitation, according to the sheriff’s office.
“What followed was nearly a month of relentless investigative work, interviews, and evidence review,” the sheriff’s office said. “That work paid off.”
Detectives developed probable cause and secured a search warrant for 955 Fairview Road in Andrews and an arrest warrant for Robert Mayfield, 34, of Andrews.
On March 27, the Cherokee County Investigations Division, Narcotics Unit, Patrol Deputies, and the Andrews Police Department executed the search warrant.
Mayfield was taken into custody without incident. He was later released
after posting a $3,000 bond, according to court documents.
Mayfield was charged with one count of felony disseminating obscenity. During the operation, investigators seized multiple electronic devices from the residence, which will undergo forensic examination. Additional charges are expected as the investigation continues.
“Let this serve as a warning, if you are involved in crimes against children, you are not forgotten,” Sheriff Chris Wood said. “Our detectives are working every single day, digging into old cases, following every lead, and making sure justice is served. You may think time protects you, it doesn’t. We are coming.”
Detectives have shown relentless dedication in pursuing offenders who target children, Wood said. Cases like this don’t fade with time, and neither does the commitment to hold those responsible accountable.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Smoke from a distant fire
Smoke from a fire in the Indian Hills community was spotted a little before 6 p.m. March 24.. No houses nor injuries were involved.
The U.S. Forest Service handled the fire, contained it and let it burn out to conserve resources. An officials with the Unaka Fire Department said there were seven fires in that area, but didn’t know which ones contributed to the wildfire.
The blaze seemed to be at the largest from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Nearby residents could no longer see the fire by 10-10:30 p.m.
In addition, smoke from both prescribed burns and recent wildfires on the Nantahala National Forest could still be seen settling in March 24 throughout the day in the Valley.
The Tarkiln Ridge Fire started by lightning strike on March 23 near Fires Creek. Prevailing winds brought the smoke to rest in Andrews making for interesting late afternoon cloud formations and sunsets.
Details: Citizens can monitor air quality and road conditions at drivenc.gov and fire.airnow.gov.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown. Editor Randy Foster as well as Staff Correspondents Aiden McCoy-Williams and Nicole Wright contributed to this report.
Arrest report
The following people were booked through the Cherokee County Detention Center from March 30 through April 5, 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.
Ryan Thomas Burns, Moorehead, N.C., 40, 3-30, sentenced.
Kevin Mathew Cole, Marion, 36, 3-30, sentenced.
Chad Antonio Mayner, Murphy, 38, 3-30, failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
Christopher Lee Searcy, Cherokee, N.C., 46, 3-30, two counts failure to appear on a felony, failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
Jeffery Kenneth Stiles, Murphy, 56, 3-30, traffic in methamphetamine, maintain place for controlled substance, simple possession schedule II controlled substance, possess drug paraphernalia.
Amanda Kaye Strickland, Franklin, 38, 3-30, holding for other agency.
Sandy Jo Thomas, Andrews, 46, 3-30, violate domestic violence protection order.
Christopher David Daniels, Shelby, N.C., 53, 3-31, SMCP.
Kimberly Anne Rachelle Flynn, Murphy, 41, 3-31, resisting public officer.
Joel Scott Friedrich, Andrews, 29, 3-31, failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
Lyle Corwin Jumper, Robbinsville, 35, 3-31, holding for other agency.
Justin Lee Phillips, Murphy, 38, 3-31, two counts felony aiding and abetting.
Whitney Ann Radford, Andrews, 30, 3-31, no operator’s license, expired registration card/tag, possess marijuana up to one-half ounce, fail to burn headlamps.
Amanda Sheree Whitener, Murphy, 53, 3-31, breaking and/or entering, larceny after break/enter.
Brian Lee Whitener, Murphy, 56, 3-31, breaking and/or entering.
Wayne Stewart Bailey, Andrews, 52, 4-1, probation violation.
Sabrina Lynn Carver, Canton, N.C., 31, 4-1, failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
Orvie B. Crawford IV, Murphy, 54, 4-1, failure to appear on a misdemeanor, failure to appear on a felony, possess controlled substance prison/jail premises, sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance.
Trenton Ray Fabian, Robbinsville, 40, 4-1, two counts failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
Ryan Lee Raney, Murphy, 50, 4-1, violate domestic violence protection order.
Adam TylerWiggins, Marble, 34, 4-1, safe-keeping.
Laci Kay Kilpatrick, Andrews, 42, 4-2, failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
Zachary Paul Queen, Andrews, 20, 4-2, injury to personal property.
Ernest Manuel Aguayo Jr., Holly Springs, N.C., 64, 4-3, defrauding innkeeper, two counts failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
Mario Benson, Andrews, 54, 4-3, weekender.
John Desbiens Coggeshall, Andrews, 38, 4-3, communicating threats.
Tyler Glen Dobbs, Andrews, 23, 4-3, injury to real property.
Joshua Edward Jumper, Robbinsville, 39, 4-3, holding for other agency.
Priscilla Marie Leonard, Murphy, 44, 4-3, assault attempt serious injury.
Edward Shane Rathbun, Ringgold, Ga., 49, 4-3, three counts cyberstalking, domestic criminal trespass, misdemeanor larceny.
Jolena Lorelee Sutton, Murphy, 55, 4-3, resisting public officer, misuse of 911 system.
Makenna Elaine Wilson, Andrews, 21, 4-3, shoplifting concealment of goods, second-degree trespass.
Davina Dean Cook, Andrews, 56, 4-4, weekender.
Tiffany Lynn Dutcher, homeless, 41, 4-4, failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
Todd David Shuck, Hayesville, 59, 4-4, driving while impaired.
Bianca Whisnant, Murphy, 32, 4-4, extradition/fugitive other state.
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.