Law & Order for April 1, 2026

  • 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.
    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.
  • Amanda King
    Amanda King
  • Andrew Kilpatrick
    Andrew Kilpatrick
  • Brian Hogan
    Brian Hogan
  • Christy Lackey
    Christy Lackey
  • Cory Carringer
    Cory Carringer
  • Cristin Stinchcomb
    Cristin Stinchcomb
  • David Rowe
    David Rowe
  • Dominick Terrasi
    Dominick Terrasi
  • Dustin Graves
    Dustin Graves
  • Jamie Muse
    Jamie Muse
  • Jared Cheeks
    Jared Cheeks
  • Jason Ivey
    Jason Ivey
  • Jessica Grubb
    Jessica Grubb
  • Jessica Brown
    Jessica Brown
  • Melissa Seabolt
    Melissa Seabolt
  • Nathan Lemay
    Nathan Lemay
  • Renae Cook
    Renae Cook
  • Rene Chavira Jr.
    Rene Chavira Jr.
  • Savannah Stiles
    Savannah Stiles
  • Stephen Anderson
    Stephen Anderson

    CHEROKEE COUNTY

    Burn ban gets issued  

    A statewide ban on open burning went into effect amid warm, dry and breezy conditions over the weekend.

    The ban remained in effect as of Monday, with Cherokee County and Murphy issuing their own declarations.

    “Due to increased fire risk, in conjunction with ban imposed by the N.C. Forest Service, Cherokee County Fire Marshal’s Office is issuing a ban on open burning within 100 feet of all occupied structures outside of municipal city limits and EBCI boundaries,” Fire Marshal Kevin Carter said in a release. “This ban goes into effect at 8 a.m. Friday, March 21, and is effective until further notice.  

    “Between both bans any bans issued by the town of Murphy and Andrews, no outdoor burning is permitted during this time. All open burning should be extinguished. Failure to do so will result in extinguishment by the local fire department per N.C. Fire Code 307.3.

    “Per County Ordinance, violation of this ban authorizes immediate extinguishment of the unlawful burning. Violation of this ban shall be punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor,” he announced.

    The Town of Murphy issued its own emergency declaration Saturday. For questions regarding the Town of Murphy’s notice, contact Town Manager Chad Simons at manager@townofmurphync.com, or 828-837-2510, Ext. 3.

     

    Roundup nets 20 arrests  

    The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office – with assistance from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Forest Service and N.C. Highway Patrol – conducted a coordinated warrant enforcement operation on March 23 that resulted in 20 arrests.

    The operation was part of an ongoing initiative targeting outstanding warrants and individuals engaged in criminal activity throughout Cherokee County, Sheriff Chris Wood said in a release.

    Deputies executed three court-authorized search warrants at separate locations, resulting in the arrest of five people. One of those taken into custody had been actively evading law enforcement for two years.

    Following execution of the search warrants, law enforcement personnel conducted saturation patrols in targeted areas across the county. These efforts included proactive traffic enforcement and investigatory vehicle stops, which led to arrests.

    Deputies established checking stations at strategic locations to support enforcement efforts and enhance roadway safety.

    Arrested were:

    • Melissa Seabolt, 47, of Peachtree: Felony probation violation 
    • Dustin Graves, 47, of Murphy: Possession of methamphetamine.
    • Amanda King, 38, of Ranger: Trafficking in methamphetamine.
    • Corey Carringer, 36, of Andrews: Possession with intent to sell or distribute methamphetamine; possession of methamphetamine; maintaining a vehicle, place, dwelling for controlled substances; possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia.
    • Dominick Terrasi, 25, of Ranger: Possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor failure to appear. He remained in custody as of Monday in lieu of $10,500 secured bond.
    • Andrew Kilpatrick, 49, of Marble: Three charges of felony breaking and entering, injury to personal property.
    • Cristin Stinchcomb, 45, of Culberson: Fail to heed lights or siren, resisting public officer, possession of drug paraphernalia.
    • Jamie Muse, 46, of Murphy: Resisting public officer, possession of drug paraphernalia.
    • Jared Cheeks, 32, of Peachtree: Felony possession of Schedule II controlled substance.
    • Brian Hogan, 46, of Liberty: Possession of methamphetamine.
    • Jason Ivey, 53, of Beaver Dam: Felony maintaining vehicle, place, or dwelling for controlled substances.
    • Rene Chavira, 32, of Culberson: Possession of methamphetamine, resisting public officer.
    • Jessica Grubb, 40, of Andrews: Failure to appear on a felony.
    • Stephen Anderson, 54, of Bellview: Possession with intent to sell or distribute methamphetamine, possession of firearm by felon, possession of Schedule I controlled substance. He remained in custody as of Monday without bond.
    • Renae Cook, 49, of Liberty: Possession with intent to sell or distribute methamphetamine. She remained in custody as of Monday in lieu of $15,000 secured bond.
    • Jessica Brown, 37, of Bellview: Possession of methamphetamine. 
    • Savannah Stiles, 32, of Hiwassee Dam: Possession of methamphetamine.
    • David Rowe, 43, of Culberson: Driving while impaired.
    • Nathan Lemay, 53, of Hayesville, Clay County: Fugitive from justice (Ga.).
    • Christy Lackey, 29, of Marble: Misdemeanor larceny.

    “The success of this operation is a direct result of the dedication and professionalism of our staff,” Wood said.

     

    BEAVER DAM

    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 official 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.

    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 for April 1, 2026

    The following people were booked through the Cherokee County Detention Center from March 22-28, 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.

    • Bryan Kasey Austin, Andrews, 41, 3-22, weekender.
    • Bethany Ann Hawkins, Mineral Bluff, Ga., 36, 3-22, failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
    • Joseph Nelson Almond, Murphy, 27, 3-23, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
    • Stephen Todd Anderson, Murphy, 54, 3-23, possess with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver methamphetamine, possess schedule I controlled substance, possession of firearm by felon.
    • Pieter Christopher Broertjes, Andrews, 53, 3-23, communicating threats, resisting public officer, probation violation.
    • Jessica Rena Brown, Murphy, 37, 3-23, possess methamphetamine.
    • Cory Blake Carringer, Andrews, 36, 3-23, failure to appear on a felony.
    • Rene Chavira Jr. II, Murphy, 32, 3-23, possess methamphetamine, resisting public officer, fictitious/altered title/registration card/tag, civil contempt.
    • Jared Taylor Cheeks, Murphy, 32, 3-23, failure to appear on a felony.
    • Renae Michelle Cook, Murphy, 49, 3-23, possess with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver methamphetamine.
    • Dustin Allen Graves, Murphy, 47, 3-23, possess methamphetamine.
    • Jessica Lenae Grubb, Andrews, 40, 3-23, failure to appear on a felony.
    • Brian Hogan, Murphy, 46, 3-23, possess methamphetamine.
    • Jason Kane Ivey, Murphy, 53, 3-23, failure to appear on a felony, maintain place controlled substance.
    • Amanda Mary King, Murphy, 38, 3-23, traffic in methamphetamine.
    • Christy Ann Lackey, Murphy, 29, 3-23, three counts misdemeanor larceny.
    • Nathan Allen Lemay, Hayesville, 53, 3-23, extradition/fugitive other state.
    • Jamie Ruth Muse, Murphy, 46, 3-23, resisting public officer, possess drug paraphernalia.
    • David Craig Holland Rowe, Murphy, 43, 3-23, driving while impaired.
    • Melissa Kay Seabolt, Murphy, 47, 3-23, probation violation.
    • Savannah Lea Stiles, Murphy, 31, 3-23, possess methamphetamine, possess drug paraphernalia.
    • Cristin Elise Stinchcomb, Murphy, 45, 3-23, fail to heed light and siren, resisting public officer, possess drug 
    • paraphernalia.
    • Dominick Paul Terrasi, Murphy, 25, 3-23, failure to appear on a misdemeanor, possess methamphetamine.
    • Christie Lanette-Hood Turner, 51, 3-23, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
    • Robert Allison Turner III, Young Harris, Ga., 55, 3-23, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
    • Stephanie Michelle Vega Burgos, Hiawassee, Ga., 28, 3-23, resisting public officer, possess drug paraphernalia.
    • Brandon Scott Bindley, Andrews, 34, 3-24, failure to appear on a felony.
    • Devin Julian Burrell, Murphy, 35, 3-24, sentenced.
    • Richard Oliver Garland, Robbinsville, 41, 3-24, holding for other agency.
    • Starla Renee Normand, Cherokee, 41, 3-24, possess methamphetamine.
    • Andrea Colette Wright, Murphy, 53, 3-24, possess methamphetamine, four counts leash law violation.
    • Ahmed Saeed Adam, Murphy, 33, 3-25, six counts failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
    • Brandon Paul Ashburn, Murphy, 35, 3-25, possess methamphetamine.
    • Anya Michelle Beaver, Murphy, 45, 3-25, probation violation.
    • Samantha Leann Bennett, Andrews, 33, 3-25, failure to appear on a felony.
    • Dorothy Melanie Davenport, Murphy, 49, 3-25, possess methamphetamine.
    • Cammie Jean Hickey, Murphy, 54, 3-25, possess methamphetamine.
    • William Tyrone Nicely, Murphy, 57, 3-25, possess with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver methamphetamine.
    • Angela Marie Phillips, Murphy, 40, 3-25, felony larceny.
    • Jose Luis Valencia, Andrews, 57, 3-25, harboring fugitive.
    • Mario Rony Andrade Mejia, Chattanooga, Tenn., 47, 3-26, driving while impaired.
    • Shae Lauren Brown, Ooltewah, Tenn., 30, 3-26, driving while impaired.
    • Jeremiah Richard Green, Mineral Bluff, Ga., 40, 3-26, extradition/fugitive other state.
    • Trevor Jacobs Keck, Murphy, 26, 3-26, driving while impaired.
    • Lindsey Ann Lemon, Murphy, 35, 3-26, two counts failure to appear on a felony, failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
    • Joshua William Little, Murphy, 39, 3-26, possess methamphetamine.
    • Arturo M. Maldonado, Murphy, 58, 3-26, two counts possess methamphetamine, two counts possess controlled substance prison/jail premises, felony possess controlled substance prison, fentanyl.
    • Bryan Kasey Austin, Andrews, 41, 3-27, weekender.
    • Mario Benson, Andrews, 54, 3-27, weekender.
    • Deann Barae Carter, Murphy, 37, 3-27, assault government official/employee.
    • Timothy James Harrell, Murphy, 50, 3-27, failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
    • Sasha Ryann Kingsley, Murphy, 33, 3-27, shoplifting concealment of goods, extradition/fugitive other state.
    • Clinton David May, Murphy, 39, 3-27, two counts sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, two counts maintain place controlled substance.
    • Robert Grady Mayfield, Andrews, 34, 3-27, felony disseminate obscenity.
    • Emanuil Illich Mitrik, Auburn, Ga., 26, 3-27, holding for other agency.
    • Anisa Lynne Rattler, Andrews, 43, 3-27, driving while impaired, passenger flee accident property damage.
    • Michael Shane Allen, Robbinsville, 46, 3-28, holding for other agency.
    • Allison Renae Edwards, Murphy, 32, 3-28, writ of habeas corpus.
    • Sean Mark Paul, Murphy, 45, 3-28, possess controlled substance prison/jail premises, disorderly conduct, impede traffic sit stand lie, resisting public officer, simple possession schedule II controlled substance, injury to real property.