Murphy, NC— Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the July 24h, 2015 arrest of 46 year old Christopher Douglas Mowry and 28 year old Rachel Edna Howe both of Murphy, North Carolina on controlled substance charges.

On or about July 24th, 2015 the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a local hotel to investigate possible controlled substance violations. Upon arriving Mowery and Howe were identified as the individuals that were occupants and that while the room was being cleaned, methamphetamine and marijuana were found.  The responding deputy seized the illegal items which included marijuana, and loaded needles of methamphetamine solution, and drug paraphernalia. The deputy proceeded to get a warrant for the arrest of Mowery and Howe. 

A short time later, information was called in that Mowery and Howe were leaving and their vehicle description was broadcast. Within minutes of the broadcast, the vehicle in which Mowery and Howe were occupying was stopped by a North Carolina Highway Patrolman near Mowery and Howe’s Murphy, North Carolina residence.

During the traffic stop, Mowery gave permission for a search of his vehicle.  Ajax, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office K9, was utilized and located additional marijuana which was Rachel Edna Howe was arrested and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine. 

Howe was placed on a $2,500.00 unsecure bond and was released.  Howe is scheduled to be in Cherokee County District Court on August 04, 2015 at 9 AM.  

Christopher Douglas Mowery was arrested and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia.  Mowery was placed on a $5,000.00 unsecure bond and was released. Mowery is scheduled to be in Cherokee County District Court on August 04, 2015 at 9 AM.

Sheriff Palmer commented, “We appreciate the community’s involvement in this drug case. Their information was instrumental in getting these folks before the court. I also want to thank North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper Cook for being alert and assisting in this case.  This also shows the benefit of our K9 program in locating drugs no matter where folks decide to hide them. This was a good job by all concerned.” 

To report crime in Cherokee County you can call the anonymous tip line at 828-837-1344 or email a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov or call 911 if you observe a crime in progress.

Update:  We just confirmed with Cherokee County Communications that Ms. Mosteller has been located.  Thank you for your assistance. 


Previous Story:  The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office is requesting your assistance in locating a missing person. 

Vicki Ray Mosteller has been reported missing. 

The vehicle pictured is similar to the car Ms. Mosteller was known to be driving. 

Please contact Detective Chapman at 828-837-2589 or call 911.

U.S. Forest Service officials announced today that it has repaired and reopened Tatham Gap Road (Forest Service Road 423).
 
Located in the Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest, Tatham Gap Road was damaged by a storm event that dropped roughly a foot of rain on the road in January 2013, causing roadbed failures making it unsafe for vehicle travel. Approximately 3.3 miles of Tatham Gap Road has been closed to all forms of traffic beginning approximately 0.6 miles beyond the intersection between Forest Service Road (FSR) 423 and State Route 1391 extending to a temporary gate installed at the intersection of FSR 423 and FSR 423B just below the south side of Tatham Gap. The Forest Service received Federal Highway funds to cover the costs of the extensive repairs to the road.
 
For more information, contact the U.S. Forest Service at 828-837-5152.

The following press release has been issued by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. 

Murphy, NC— The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received K9s Ajax (passive detector dog) and Gunner (bloodhound) in the summer of 2014 when they were but puppies. As they have grown and been certified, both have been put to work. Both Ajax and Gunner have been successful in their areas of expertise and are providing valuable services that enhance the capabilities of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. 

K9s are often employed in dangerous situations such as apprehending or tracking armed individuals. No government body tracks the number of police dogs killed or injured in the line of duty nationally, police-dog experts say. So many law enforcement agencies (from local police departments to the U.S. Border Patrol to customs) employ them agree that it's hard to compile statistics. 

Just like their human partners, K9s are benefited by the use of additional protection such as protective vests. Each K9 protective vest costs approximately $1,025.00 per K9 but certainly are a benefit to providing additional protection to these valuable crime fighting partners. 

Recently employees of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, including Deputy Jessica Owen, owner of Carolina Complete K9, undertook fundraising efforts to purchase vests for the two department K9s. During the activities, the Carringer/Crawford Memorial Lodge #65 joined in the fundraising efforts. 

On Thursday, July 16, 2015, Murphy Police Department Assistant Chief Dustin Smith, current President of Carringer/Crawford Memorial Lodge #65 in Murphy, along with Deputy Owen presented a check to purchase a protective vest for the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office K9 Ajax to Sheriff Derrick Palmer. 

Sheriff Palmer stated, “We are so thankful for this generous donation that was made to protect Ajax. I would like to encourage anyone that wishes to help fund a protective vest for Gunner our tracking dog to please make those through The Crawford/Carringer Lodge 65 or see Assistant Chief Dustin Smith at Murphy Police Department.”

The following press release has been issued by Towns County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

On Wednesday, July 15, 2015, Towns County Deputies, the patrol lieutenant and an agent assigned to the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, initiated a traffic stop on Highway 76 at the old Mohawk building. What began as a misdemeanor traffic offense soon escalated into a felony stop with nearly deadly consequences.

Immediately, the driver exhibited aggression towards the officers and began making statements consistent with "sovereign citizen" type beliefs. Rather than comply with deputies, the driver reached for a gun. Fearing their safety and the safety of the public, deputies were forced to make entry into the vehicle by breaking the driver side window and then physically remove the driver from the vehicle. As the driver was being removed from the vehicle, he attempted to reach for another gun, this one located in a holster at the small of his back. Deputies were able to get the suspect under control and disarm him.

One deputy was slightly injured by broken glass, but due to the quick action of the two seasoned officers, no serious injuries occurred. The suspect was checked by EMS and refused any medical treatment.

Deputies removed several firearms from the vehicle and the driver. Each of them were within reach of the suspect during the altercation. The firearms included a 9mm hand gun, a .45 caliber hand gun, a .40 caliber hand gun, a .44 magnum caliber short rifle, and a .223 caliber AR-15 format carbine. Several additional ammunition magazines were with the firearms. Each of the firearms were loaded and all, except the AR-15, had rounds in the chamber. Two of the pistols, including the one on the suspect's person were cocked.

The suspect, Dustin Lee Gunnells, age 30, of Hiawassee, was arrested and charged with six counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer and six counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He is currently being held at the Towns County Sheriff's Detention Center. Bond has not been set at this time.

The following press release has been issued by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Murphy, NC —  Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the July 15, 2015 arrest of James William Patterson a 59-year-old Marble, North Carolina man for cruelty to animals.

On or about July 12, 2015, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the convenience site located at the Cherokee County Landfill to investigate a suspicious incident.

During the initial investigation, a small female goat was discovered to have been placed in several plastic garbage bags which had been tied up. The garbage bags containing the female goat were then abandoned in one of the dumpsters. The responding deputy removed the bags and the goat and contacted a local rescue organization to provide care for the goat.

During the investigation of the incident, video footage from surveillance cameras provided a tag number of the vehicle that had been used to transport the goat to the convenience site. From that information, an investigator was able to identify Patterson as the person that had abandoned the goat at the landfill.

Upon learning of the existence of charges, Patterson surrendered himself to the Cherokee County Detention Center. Patterson was placed under a $2,500.00 unsecured bond and is scheduled to be in Cherokee County District Court on July 29th, 2015.

Sheriff Palmer encourages any one that has information to report it by  calling the anonymous tip line at 828-837-1344 or emailing a tip to crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov or call 911 if you observe a crime in progress.

NOAH A. DILLARD

Air Force Airman Noah A. Dillard graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Dillard is the son of Connie R. and Robert S. Dillard of Murphy, N.C.

He is a 2014 graduate of Hiwassee Dam High School, Murphy, N.C.

JAMES T. TATHAM

Air Force Airman 1st Class James T. Tatham graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Tatham is the son of James R. and Regina J. Tatham of Kathleen, Ga., grandson of Jeanette Burchfield of Robinsville, N.C., nephew of Debbie Hall of Robinsville, N.C. and Laurie and Dana Jones of Andrews, N.C., cousin of Thomas Jones of Charlotte, N.C., and brother of Zachary O. Tatham.

He is a 2009 graduate of Warner Robins High School, Warner Robins, Ga.