Law & Order

  • To protect and serve: Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith (left) with new Deputies Christopher Baty and Michael Guffey.
    To protect and serve: Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith (left) with new Deputies Christopher Baty and Michael Guffey.
  • Blessings temporarily interrupted: Members of Murphy Seventh-day Adventist Church put a Blessing Box at the base of their driveway four years ago to be a help to those in need. However, between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 11, the box was destroyed by vandals. It will be replaced and continue to be a blessing in the community.
    Blessings temporarily interrupted: Members of Murphy Seventh-day Adventist Church put a Blessing Box at the base of their driveway four years ago to be a help to those in need. However, between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 11, the box was destroyed by vandals. It will be replaced and continue to be a blessing in the community.

    MURPHY

    Hooks faces four felonies

    Jason Anthony Hooks, 52, of Liberty, faces three drug and weapons charges and is being held without bond at the Cherokee County Detention Center.

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    On Dec. 11, Hooks was arrested by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for being in possession of 29 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia while being a convicted felon in possession of a 12-gauge shotgun, according to court records.

    Hooks is a registered sex offender. He was convicted in Florida when he was 21 of a simulated sex act in the presence of a 13-year-old, according to the state sex offender registry.

    He was convicted of the felony of child fondling in Pasco County, Fla., Superior Court and sentenced to 2 years, 10 months and 18 days, court records say.

    His court date was scheduled for Tuesday morning, after the Cherokee Scout’s deadline.

    MURPHY

    Sheriff adds two deputies

    Sheriff Dustin Smith announces the additions of Deputies Christopher Baty and Michael Guffey to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.

    Baty and Guffey recently completed six months of intensive law enforcement training at Southwestern Community College, graduating from the Basic Law Enforcement Training program. Their training included criminal law, investigations, emergency response, firearms proficiency, physical fitness and practical scenario-based instruction.

    Both deputies have demonstrated professionalism, dedication and a strong commitment to serving Cherokee County residents.

    “We are excited to welcome Deputies Baty and Guffey to our team,” Smith said in a release. “Their hard work throughout the BLET academy and their passion for public service will make them valuable assets to our agency and community.”

    Baty and Guffey will begin the sheriff’s office’s field training program, where they will work alongside veteran deputies as they transition into full duty.

    The sheriff’s office continues to actively recruit motivated individuals who are interested in serving their community. Open positions are available in both the Patrol Division and Detention Center, with benefits, training opportunities and a supportive team environment.

    Details: Call 828-837-2589 or visit cherokeecounty-nc.gov.

    Compiled by Publisher David Brown. Editor Randy Foster contributed to this report.