Law & Order: Marble man in prison on drug, gun charges

  • Retired: The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office wishes a happy retirement to its longtime chaplain, the Rev. Alan Wildsmith. “We are forever grateful for his many years of selfless service to our agency and Cherokee County. To say he will be missed is an understatement,” the sheriff’s office said. With Wildsmith is the new chaplain, Earl Delvalle, sporting their newest attire.
    Retired: The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office wishes a happy retirement to its longtime chaplain, the Rev. Alan Wildsmith. “We are forever grateful for his many years of selfless service to our agency and Cherokee County. To say he will be missed is an understatement,” the sheriff’s office said. With Wildsmith is the new chaplain, Earl Delvalle, sporting their newest attire.

    MARBLE

    Local man imprisoned

    Keith Ryan Noles, 44, of Marble, was sentenced last week to 296 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on drug and gun charges, according to Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

    Noles and his co-defendant – Tina Hill, 47, also of Marble – were convicted at trial in March 2024, of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Noles was also found guilty of possession of a firearm by a felon.

    According to filed court documents and trial evidence, law enforcement in Texas intercepted more than eight pounds of methamphetamine. Trial evidence showed that law enforcement learned the methamphetamine was intended for Hill and Noles in North Carolina.

    The jury heard testimony that, between 2020 and 2021, the defendants’ source of supply or his representative made trips to North Carolina to deliver packages of methamphetamine to Hill and Noles, and to pick up cash payments. After the drug delivery was intercepted in Texas, law enforcement planned a controlled delivery of the methamphetamine to Hill and Noles.

    Noles was arrested soon after he arrived to assist with the delivery of the meth to his and Hill’s residence in Marble. Hill was later arrested at the residence.

    Compiled by Publisher David Brown.