Christopher Lee Searcy
MURPHY
Police scuffle with suspect
Christopher Lee Searcy, 46, of Cherokee, was being held in the Cherokee County Detention Facility in lieu of $90,000 secured bond.
Searcy was sought on warrants stemming from earlier charges of death by vehicle and larceny of a motor vehicle when his presence at Konehete Veterans Park in Murphy on Saturday was reported to Murphy police.
Searcy fled as Officer Sara Taylor spotted and approached. Taylor caught up and wrestled him to the ground, with Sgt. Adam May arriving a short time later to assist with the arrest.
Taylor suffered bruises and cuts from the apprehension but is recovering, May said.
Drugs were found in Searcy’s possession when he was being admitted to the Cherokee County Detention Center. Searcy faces charges of:
- Felony possession of methamphetamine
- Felony possession of a controlled substance in a prison or jail
- Felony assault physically injuring a law enforcement officer
- Misdemeanor resisting arrest
- Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia
- Failure to appear on a felony
- Failure to appear on a misdemeanor
He was being held in the Cherokee County Detention Center as of Monday.
MURPHY
Felon faces gun charges
Michael Phillip Salas, 40, of 2088 U.S. 64 W., No. 2085, was arrested for being a felon in possession of firearms.
Salas is being held at the Cherokee County Detention Center in lieu of $45,000 secured bond.
On or about March 8, Cherokee County sheriff’s deputies found Salas in possession of a stolen .22-caliber long rifle. Salas has a felony robbery conviction dating to a 2013 incident in Florida, according to court records.
On Aug. 30, 2025, Salas was arrested and booked on a firearm charge involving a 9mm handgun.
Booking records
The following people were booked through the Cherokee County Detention Center from March 8-14, 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.
Logan McCauley Sadler, McDonough, Ga., 27, 3-8, intoxicated and disruptive, resisting public officer.
Michael Phillip Salas, Murphy, 40, 3-8, two counts possession of firearm by felon, possess stolen firearm.
Jordan Kaula Bateman, Andrews, 35, 3-9, simple assault.
Santos Ovidio Luna-Martinez, Asheville, 41, 3-9, SMCP.
Kyle Fergus Orr, Hayesville, 30, 3-9, assault with a deadly weapon, injury to real property.
Kenneth Lloyd Roberts, Asheville, 37, 3-9, SMCP.
Cory Blake Carringer, Andrews, 36, 3-10, holding for other agency.
Kevin James Roper, Blairsville, Ga., 48, 3-10, 10 counts setting fire to grass and brushlands and woodlands intentional.
David Scott Sloan, Marble, 56, 3-10, safekeeping.
Robyn Dockery Truhan, Marble, 52, 3-10, assault on a child under 12.
Charles Cruz Williams, Robbinsville, 36, 3-10, holding for other agency.
Joseph Dillon Aldridge, Murphy, 44, 3-11, holding for other agency.
Angela Marie Barber, Murphy, 48, 3-11, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
Thomas Ray Cain, Murphy, 31, 3-11, two counts larceny of a motor vehicle, failure to appear on a misdemeanor, three counts failure to appear on a felony, possession of stolen goods.
Stephen Ryan Crisp, Marble, 35, 3-11, failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
Richard Landon Davis, Andrews, 61, 3-11, probation violation.
Timothy Michael Elliott, Murphy, 44, 3-11, safekeeping.
Colton Alexander Fox, Robbinsville, 28, 3-11, possess with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver methamphetamine, maintain place for controlled substance, manufacture/sell/deliver/possess controlled substance within 1,000 feet of school, fictitious/altered title/registration card/tag, carrying concealed gun, resisting public officer.
Casey Trent Freeman, Robbinsville, 34, 3-11, holding for other agency.
Ray Marcus Freeman, Robbinsville, 62, 3-11, holding for other agency.
William Lee Gilley, Radcliff, Ky., 31, 3-11, holding for other agency.
Timothy Michael Pratt, McKinney, Texas, 58, 3-11, seven counts obtain property false pretense.
Randy Dale Price Jr., Robbinsville, 37, 3-11, holding for other agency.
Dawson Wade Riddle, Robbinsville, 27, 3-11, holding for other agency.
Robert Seth Carver, Robbinsville, 42, 3-12, holding for other agency.
Adrian Kyle Chekelelee, Robbinsville, 41, 3-12, holding for other agency.
Timothy Alan Dockery, Murphy, 50, 3-12, possess drug paraphernalia, possess methamphetamine.
Timothy Michael Elliott, Murphy, 44, 3-12, second-degree trespass, misdemeanor open container alcohol violation, resisting public officer.
Carroll Edward Mathis, Andrews, 52, 3-12, obtain property by false pretense.
Stephanie Michelle Maxon, Hayesville, 32, 3-12, driving while impaired.
Autumn Sky Orr, Robbinsville, 27, 3-12, holding for other agency.
Danny Clyde Piercy, Andrews, 49, 3-12, failure to appear on felony.
Luis Eduardo Pinto Jr., Hayesville, 43, 3-12, safekeeping.
Anthony Wayne Reagan, Murphy, 30, 3-12, probation violation.
James Anthony Smith, Franklin, 45, 3-12, SMCP.
Mindy Lee Stewart, Robbinsville, 34, 3-12, possess fentanyl, maintain place for controlled substance.
Bryan Kasey Austin, Andrews, 41, 3-13, weekender.
Deann Barae Carter, Murphy, 37, 3-13, second-degree trespass.
Brian Anthony Cross, Marble, 34, 3-13, weekend.
Jose Daniel Maldonado, Murphy, 55, 3-13, interfere with emergency communication, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, extradition/fugitive other state.
Savannah Marie Bryson, Murphy, 41, 3-14, failure to appear on a felony, possess controlled substance prison/jail premises.
Christopher James Dockery, Murphy, 52, 3-14, violate domestic violence protection order.
Justin Ross Kennedy, Bessemer City, N.C., 34, 3-14, safekeeping.
Christopher Lee Searcy, Cherokee, N.C., 46, 3-14, possess methamphetamine, possess controlled substance on prison/jail premises, assault physical injury law enforcement/probation/parole officer, resisting public officer, possess drug paraphernalia, failure to appear on felony, failure to appear on misdemeanor.