Murphy – Two local residents were sentenced for sex crimes that created outrage in the community by Judge William Coward in Cherokee County Superior Court on March 1.
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Robert Eugene Barnhill, 42, of Murphy, received 17-30 months in the N.C. Department of Adult Corrections and was given credit for 512 days confinement, according to a release from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Upon his release, Barnhill must register as a convicted sex offender.
In May 2020, the sheriff’s office began an investigation into allegations that Barnhill had committed sexual assaults to a close relative. HAVEN Children’s Advocacy Center conducted a forensic interview, which helped further the investigation. Admissions made by Barnhill as to his participation in the crime – as well as social media postings that gained considerable attention – enabled the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office to make the arrest.
“HAVEN has always been a valuable asset to Cherokee and surrounding counties in western North Carolina,” Chief Deputy Joe Wood said in the release. “The District Attorney’s Office was able to work hand in hand with our Internet Crimes Against Children investigator, HAVEN and the Cherokee County Department of Social Services to bring justice for the youth.”
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Brett Allen Parrish, 38, of Andrews, was given an active sentence of 48-87 months in the Department of Adult Corrections, with credit for six days, for numerous counts of indecent liberties with a child, according to a release. Upon his release, Parrish will be required to register as a convicted sex offender.
About 7:30 a.m. March 26, 2021, at the intersection of Graham and Valley streets in Andrews, Parrish was sitting on his front porch nude from the waist down and was masturbating as a county school bus made a stop at the intersection. At the time of the bus stop, Parrish was in full view of 14 juveniles under age 16 as well as an adult woman.
Parrish continued to masturbate as another adult female driving by videoed the incident, the release says. Parrish was taken into custody by a Cherokee County Schools Resource Officer.
To report suspected violations of the law, call 837-1344 or email crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.