MURPHY
Man charged with peeping
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The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office arrested Shawn Michael Robinson, 34, of Murphy, on child sex charges and secretly videoing a child Friday.
In August 2018, the sheriff’s Office began an investigation into an allegation in which Robinson had secretly placed a cell phone and videoed a minor girl in the bathroom of the same residence they occupied in Peachtree, according to a release. Because Robinson was living in the residence as the victim, the Cherokee County Department of Social Services as well as HAVEN Children’s Advocacy Center were called to assist in the investigation.
During the investigation, numerous search warrants were obtained to seize and examine computers, cell phones and various social media accounts belonging to Robinson. During the examination of the computers, the assistance of the State Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab was requested. Due to a backlog of cases from other agencies, the examination took about a year to retrieve the evidence from the electronics.
In January, the case was submitted to the Cherokee County Grand Jury, which issued indictments for two counts of indecent liberties with a child and two counts of secret peeping.
On Monday, Graham County DSS, which is assisting in the investigation, provided an address in Clay County where Robinson was believed to be living. With the assistance of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Robinson was arrested at a Mission Dam Road residence without incident. The release says it was later found out that Robinson had moved back into the residence where the victim was living.
Robinson was arrested and taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center and placed under a $80,000 secure bond. Robinson is out on bond and expected to be in Cherokee County Superior Court on Feb. 21.
To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law, call 828-837-1344 or email a tip to crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.
MURPHY
Sex offender is captured
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The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office arrested convicted sex offender Anthony Wayne Dendy, 44, of Murphy, on Dec. 8 for an alleged violation of the North Carolina Sex Offender registry.
In July, Dendy was arrested for violations of the North Carolina Sex Offender Registration statutes for failing to report any online identifiers. He was released on a secure bond on July 29, according to a release.
In August, Dendy failed to return his verification letter as required, and upon attempting to deliver to his last registered address information, it was made known that Dendy had left and not provided a new address, as required by registry statutes. A warrant was sworn for Dendy’s arrest and entered into NCIC with unlimited extradition.
On Dec. 6, the investigator received notification from Anderson County, S.C., that Dendy had registered with their agency, and upon verification that the warrant was active, Dendy was arrested. Dendy waived extradition and was brought back to Cherokee County.
Dendy is detained at the Cherokee County Detention Center on $5,000 secure bond, the release says. He is excepted to appear in Cherokee County District Court on Thursday.
To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law, call 828-837-1344 or email a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.
CHARLOTTE
Area gets new U.S. attorney
Dena J. King was officially sworn in last week as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina after being nominated by President Joe Biden on Sept. 28 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Nov. 19.
King is the first person of color to be appointed as U.S. Attorney in the Western District.
With more than 15 years in public service, King will lead an office of about 100 federal prosecutors and staff that serves more than 3 million residents throughout North Carolina’s 32 westernmost counties.