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

After several months of investigation, in a joint venture with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), Sheriff Davis announced today about a multiagency narcotics round up that occurred on Thursday, August 24, 2017.
 
During the raids that occurred simultaneously at several locations throughout the county, five people were arrested, two search warrants were executed, and drugs, money, and narcotics were seized according to Sheriff Davis.
 
Eugene “Bo” Mashburn, 55 of Hayesville, was arrested and charged with two counts of Deliver Methamphetamine, two counts of Maintaining a Vehicle for Controlled Substances, two counts of Possession of Methamphetamine, two counts of Manufacture Methamphetamine, two counts of Sell Methamphetamine, and one count of Trafficking in Methamphetamine.
 
Peggy Stroud Mashburn, 55 of Hayesville, was arrested and charged with two counts of Deliver Methamphetamine, two counts of Maintaining a Vehicle for Controlled Substances, two counts of Possession of Methamphetamine, two counts of Manufacture Methamphetamine, two counts of Sell Methamphetamine, and one count of Trafficking in Methamphetamine.
 
Both have been released on a $50,000 bond and have a September 11, 2017, court date.
 
Sammy Henderson, 56 of Warne, was arrested and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Manufacture Methamphetamine, Sell Methamphetamine, Deliver Methamphetamine, Manufacture Schedule II Controlled Substance, Sell Schedule II Controlled Substance, Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance, Trafficking Schedule II Controlled Substance, Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substances, Possession of Firearm by Felon.
 
Amanda Aveline Wheeler, 38 of Hayesville, was arrested and charged with two counts of Maintaining a Dwelling for the use of Controlled Substances, Deliver Methamphetamine, Manufacture Methamphetamine, Sell Methamphetamine, Deliver Marijuana, Sell Marijuana, Manufacture Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana.
 
Ricky Gene Ledford, 55 of Hayesville, was arrested and charged with two counts of Manufacture Methamphetamine, two counts of Sell Methamphetamine, two counts of Possession of Methamphetamine, two counts of Maintaining a Dwelling for the sell or use of Controlled Substances, two counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine, two counts of Possession of Firearm by Felon.
 
Michael Gene Matheson, 58 of Hayesville, was arrested and charged with Felony Conspiracy to Sell Methamphetamine and Felony Conspiracy to Deliver Methamphetamine.
 
Henderson, Wheeler, Ledford, and Matheson are all still in custody in the Clay County Detention Center under a $50,000 bond, and they have a September 11, 2017 court date as well.
 
Jason Curtis Lee, 37 of Hayesville, was already in custody, but was also charged with two counts of Maintaining a Dwelling for the use of Controlled Substances, Deliver Methamphetamine, Manufacture Methamphetamine, Sell Methamphetamine, Deliver Marijuana, Sell Marijuana, Manufacture Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana. He received an additional $50,000 bond, and has a September 11, 2017, court date.
 
The Grand Jury convened on Monday August 28, 2017, and returned True Bills of Indictment on all of these individuals. There are also other charges pending in these matters as well as other warrants for arrest on individuals that have not been arrested yet. Further information will be provided as those arrests are made.
 
According to Sheriff Vic Davis, “This roundup of narcotics offenders is a result of a six month long investigation by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and included assistance from state and federal agents. This in only part of the ongoing Drug Trafficking Suppression efforts of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and is a result of many hours of investigation and undercover work, using much of the information provided by the good citizens of Clay County. Drug Trafficking is a continuing problem in Clay County as in our surrounding counties and all over the country and we solicit any information from our citizens to help us combat this problem.”
 
Pictured here is Sheriff Davis with drugs, guns, and money seized from one of the residence where a search warrant was served.

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— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced August 22nd, 2017 arrest of 24 year old Dennis Devon Dockery, of Murphy, North Carolina, 30 year old Raymond Dillon Bryant, also of Murphy, North Carolina and 42 year old Shanda Bree Womble of Hayesville, North Carolina resulting from a traffic stop.

During the afternoon hours of August 22nd, 2017, a Cherokee County Narcotics investigator observed Dockery in the back of the vehicle which was being driven by Bryant. Upon stopping the vehicle, a small amount of marijuana was observed in plain view in possession of Womble. During a search of the vehicle, incident to arrest a trafficking amount of methamphetamine was found in the front of the passenger area of the vehicle.

Dennis Devon Dockery was arrested on the outstanding indictments handed down from the grand jury for several counts of Breaking and Entering, Possession of Stolen Goods and Felon in possession of a firearm. Dockery was given a $60,000 unsecure bond by the North Carolina Magistrate and has a September 18th, 2017 Superior Court date.

Shonda Bree Womble was arrested on TRAFFIC IN METHAMPHETAMINE, POSSESS METHAMPHETAMINE, MAINTAIN PLACE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, POSSESS MARIJUANA UP TO 1/2 OZ. Womble is currently in the Cherokee County Detention Center under a $50,000.00 secure bond.

Raymond Dillon Bryant was arrested for TRAFFIC IN METHAMPHETAMINE, ASSAULT ON A FEMALE, FAILURE TO APPEAR ON MISDEMEANOR, FAILURE TO APPEAR ON FELONY. Bryant is currently in the Cherokee County Detention Center under a $81,000.00 secure bond.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated, “I commend the investigators for being alert and thorough in their investigation. A simple traffic stop to enforce outstanding warrants took a sizeable amount of methamphetamine off the streets. Good job!”

To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-3144 or submit a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov. 

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— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced August 25TH, 2017 arrest of 32 year old Pierre Antoine Kennedy, and 23 year old Haley Rashae Bryant, both of Murphy, North Carolina resulting from a traffic stop.

During the afternoon hours of August 25th, 2017, a Cherokee County Narcotics investigator observed Kennedy and Bryant in a vehicle. The investigator knew that both had active warrants for indictments handed down from the Grand Jury. During the traffic stop and in a search subsequent to the arrest of both Kennedy and Bryant, a stolen hand gun was found in the vehicle. Kennedy is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Haley Rashe Bryant was arrested and booked through the Cherokee County Detention Center for Sale/Delivery of Schedule IV controlled substances, Felony Possession of Cocaine, Possession of a stolen firearm, and Simple Possession of Schedule VI controlled substance. Bryant posted a $20,000.00 secure bond.

Pierre Antoine Kennedy was arrested and is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center for Sale/Deliver of Schedule IV controlled substance, 2 Counts of Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon, Possession of Stolen Firearm, and Simple Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance. Kennedy is under a $70,000.00 secure bond.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated, “Again, I commend the investigators for being alert and thorough in their investigation. A simple traffic stop to enforce outstanding warrants took a stolen gun off the streets. Good job!”

​To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-3144 or submit a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov. 

The Town of Murphy will be shutting down the listed areas for through traffic and be rerouting traffic due to sewer line maintenance being done on Valley River Avenue. During maintenance the road way will be dug up on Valley River Avenue at the intersection of Springdale Street blocking through traffic on Valley River Avenue from today (08/24) around 4:00pm until Sunday (08/27) evening.

Valley River Avenue will be shut down to through traffic at Hickory Street and detoured down Hickory Street. Business on Valley River Avenue from the intersection of Hickory will still be accessible just not trough traffic for Valley River Avenue.

Central Street will be shut down to traffic turning right on Valley River Avenue.

Springdale Street will be shut down to through traffic from the intersection of Alpine Street to Valley River Avenue.

Campbell Street will be shut down from turning left onto Valley River Avenue.

Valley River Avenue will be shut down at Hilton Street intersection for through traffic to Valley River Avenue and traffic detoured to Hilton Street.

Dustin D. Smith
Assistant Chief of Police 
Murphy Police Department 

FRANKLIN, N.C., August 23, 2017 - Due to an increase in close and serious bear encounters in Panthertown and along the Appalachian Trail, the Nantahala Ranger District is strongly recommending that backcountry campers use bear-proof containers for all food and scented items.

This applies to National Forest lands in and adjacent to bear sanctuaries, which includes Standing Indian Basin, Wayah Bald to Tellico Gap, and Panthertown.

"At this time of year before trees have produced a mast crop and as berries dry up, bears quickly learn that a good food source is campsites where people have not properly stored their food or trash. So we are recommending no overnight camping without bear-proof containers in the backcountry," said District Ranger Mike Wilkins. "This will help reduce bear encounters until acorns and other nuts appear in the fall."

Backcountry campers should store all food and scented items like toothpaste in commercially-made canisters manufactured for the specific purpose of resisting entry by bears. Keep stored food well away from camping and cooking areas. Before sleeping, make sure you have not inadvertently left anything edible or sweet smelling like personal hygiene items near your campsite.

Bear encounters have been a common occurrence this year in several parts of the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests. In most cases encounters have been in areas where people have not properly stored food or trash and bears have become dependent on human foods.

Visitors are encouraged to prevent bear interactions by practicing these additional safety tips:

• Never leave food unattended
• Never store food or other scented items like lotions and toothpaste in tents
• Immediately clean up food or trash around fire rings, grills, and other areas of your campsite

For more tips, visit http://go.usa.gov/czWbW or go to www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc and click on "Learn about Bear Safety." 

August 23, 2017

Murphy, NC -- After recording only 2 cases of rabies in wild animals at the Cherokee County Health Department (CCHD) in the three-year period of 2014 through 2016, CCHD has found 3 confirmed cases and 2 more cases to be confirmed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the calendar year 2017. This increase reminds us that rabies awareness needs to be revisited and safety around animals needs to be practiced.

The animals testing positive were a raccoon, a cat, and a deer. The animals to be confirmed a rabid are a raccoon and a coyote. Rabies can occur in many animals, but the ones of greatest concern in our area are dogs, cats, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, skunks, and bats. Rabies is a deadly virus that can be transmitted to humans.

Rabies causes animals to behave abnormally. This can be manifested by unsteadiness, poor vision, poor appearance, lack of fear of humans in wild animals, aggressiveness, drooling, excessive howling, refusing to eat or drink, and other symptoms.

Keep in mind the following when you and your family are out and about:

1. Do not approach wild animals and do not feed them. In fact, remove pet feeding stations that are accessible to wild animals.
2. Get and keep your pets vaccinated against rabies. Doing so can save their lives.
3. Be very cautious about contact with feral or stray cats and dogs. Avoid direct physical contact with bats.
4. Always wear gloves at a minimum when handling injured or dead animals. And, wash thoroughly with soap and water afterward.
5. Seek appropriate medical care if you are bitten, scratched, or have any contact with a wild animal or a stray dog or cat.

The Health Department will continue to participate in the surveillance activities for possibly rabid animals, will continue to assist and advise persons bitten, and will be glad to answer any questions you may have. The staff at CCHD are qualified and ready to help. You can call Philip Anderson, Environmental Health Specialist, at 828-360-4381.

The following press release has been issued by Clay County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  
​
On the morning of Monday August 21, 2017, around 4:30, Clay County Sheriff deputies responded to Swaims Road in reference to a breaking and entering in progress. Sheriff Vic Davis said, when the deputies arrived they encountered a man who appeared to be working on a vehicle. While one of the deputies spoke to the man, the other spoke with the owner of the residence.
                                          
The owner of the residence said she heard someone outside and then saw someone with a flashlight on her back porch looking through the window; then she heard a loud banging. The deputies discovered that sound was where the man had tried to break in through the back door.
 
The man, Billy Farquhar, provided a story of trying to get the vehicle he was “working on” started for another man that was in custody in Georgia; and that she was also just checking on the house for the same man. Deputies were able to make contact with that man and confirm the story was false. They also discovered frozen food items that had been stolen from a freezer in a shed, and that the owner’s vehicle had been broken into.
 
Sheriff Davis said, Farquhar, 38 of Murphy, was arrested and charged with two counts of Felony Breaking and Entering and one count of Felony Breaking and Entering of a Motor Vehicle. He is currently being held in the Clay County Detention Center under a $30,000 bond and has a September 11, 2017, court date.

The following press release has been issued by Clay County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
​
On Saturday August 19, 2017, Clay County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a suspicious incident, where a man said he was being shot at, in the area of Trout Cove Road in Brasstown.
 
When deputies arrived they spoke with Dontavious Carruth who said he and some friends had gotten into a verbal altercation with several subjects and when they tried to leave the other subjects started shooting at them. Carruth was able to give a description of some of the other men, and was able to lead deputies to the area where this occurred. Sheriff Vic Davis said, when deputies arrived there they began to speak with the other involved and soon discovered drugs in plain sight and the facts that everyone’s stories were not matching up.
 
Dontavious Carruth, 24 of Athens, Ga, was arrested and charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill. He is currently being held in the Clay County Detention Center under a $50,000 bond with a September 11, 2017, court date.
 
Fernando Benitez, 21 of Athens, Ga, was arrested and charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill. He is currently being held in the Clay County Detention Center under a $50,000 bond with a September 11, 2017, court date.
 
Larry Hogan, 54 of Brasstown, was arrested and charged with First Degree Kidnapping, Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, Discharge a Weapon into Occupied Dwelling or Vehicle, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill. He is currently being held in the Clay County Detention Center under a $50,000 bond with a September 11, 2017, court date.
 
Jack Shook, 53 of Young Harris, was arrested and charged with First Degree Kidnapping, Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, Discharge a Weapon into Occupied Dwelling or Vehicle, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill. He is currently being held in the Clay County Detention Center under a $50,000 bond with a September 11, 2017, court date.
 
Thomas Charles, 32 of Brasstown, was arrested and charged with Felony Accessory After the Fact in conjunction with the other charges. He is currently being held in the Clay County Detention Center under a $10,000 bond with a September 11, 2017, court date.
 
Sheriff Davis said it appears that the whole incident occurred over a drug deal gone bad and one group went to confront another group over monies owed which led to a gun fire being exchanged by both groups. This incident is still under investigation and further information will be released as it is available. Sheriff Davis also said a search warrant was executed at the location where this incident occurred and other charges are pending from it as well.

The following press release has been issued by Hiawassee Police Department.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
 
On August 17, 2017 at 6:04 pm, two Hiawassee Police Department officers responded to the area of the Hiawassee Antique Mall in reference to a burglary in progress. Upon their arrival, the officers were told by witnesses that the suspect fled on foot into the wooded area behind Fred’s.

With the assistance of the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the Towns County Fire Department, a perimeter was established around the area where the suspect was seen fleeing. TCSO’s bloodhound, Copper, quickly picked up a scent and lead officers into the wooded area. Shortly afterwards, the suspect was seen fleeing across Bell Creek Rd and behind McDonald’s.

As officers closed in on the suspect, he entered the water and began to swim out into Lake Chatuge. With the suspect in the water, TCFD was requested to launch their boat from Station 1 in the event that a rescue was required. The suspect attempted to swim to several docks, but was met by officers at each of them. He finally exited the lake in the area of the Towns County Senior Center, where he was placed into custody without further incident.

The suspect was identified as Nathan Brice Garrett, age 29, of Hayesville, North Carolina. He has been charged with Burglary, Criminal Trespass, Possession of Tools for the Commission of a Crime, and Obstructing Law Enforcement Officers, and is currently being held at the Towns County Jail. Mr. Garrett’s vehicle was at the scene, and is being held as part of the investigation. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Chief Paul Smith stated, “The Hiawassee Police Department appreciates the assistance from the Towns County Sheriff's Office, the Towns County Fire Department, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. This shows what is possible when different agencies work together for a common goal. Sheriff Clinton and I will continue working together and sharing resources to ensure the safety of Towns County's citizens and visitors.”