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 the September 23rd, 2016 arrest of 32-year-old Jonathan Ervin Kisselburg who gave a Murphy, North Carolina address on charges involving allegations of kidnapping and rape.

On July 1, 2016 the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an adult female who had been kidnapped and sexually assaulted.

During the investigation, Kisselburg, a registered sex offender, was identified as a suspect in the investigation. The investigation was then presented to the September setting of the Cherokee County Grand Jury who handed down indictments for First Degree Kidnapping and Second Degree Forcible Rape.

Kisselburg was arrested on the indictments and is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center under a $150,000 secure bond.

Kisselburg is expected to be in Cherokee County Superior Court on November 7th, 2016.

Because of the sensitive nature of the crime reported, no further press releases will be made concerning this case.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “Again, we see the importance of the sex offender registry laws. I am glad to see that our state has tightened up some loopholes. As always we are not able to do the job alone and are appreciative of the public’s assistance in keeping our community safe.”

Sheriff Palmer encourages anyone that has information on this crime or any other to report it. 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.

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 Thursday, September 22, 2016, deputies with Towns County Sheriff’s Office responded to an apartment on Charlie Corn Drive in Young Harris, Georgia in reference to an unresponsive female.  Upon arrival, the body of a 32-year-old female was discovered inside the apartment. The female was later identified as Tiffany Dawn McClendon of Grovetown, Georgia.

Investigators with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene to investigate the suspicious death and a male subject located at the apartment was arrested. The male subject has been identified as Robert James Holub, age 34 of Young Harris, Georgia He was arrested and charged with three (3) counts of VGCSA Possession and Distribution of a Schedule IV Drug, and two (2) counts of VGCSA Possession and Distribution of a Schedule II Drug in reference to the death investigation. The investigation is active and ongoing.

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

Murphy, NC— Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced shortly after 9 am on September 19th, 2016, the Branch Bank and Trust (BBB&T) branch office located on U.S. Highway 64 West in Murphy, North Carolina was robbed of an undisclosed amount of US currency.

Shortly after 9 am, September 19th, 2016 the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report that the branch office of BB&T located at US 64 West in Murphy, North Carolina had been robbed. A perimeter was set up and tracking K9s were used to search the area in and around the bank. Information gathered at and around the scene indicate that the individual that robbed the bank may have fled the scene in a mid-2000 model Ford Explorer or Lincoln Navigator displaying a Georgia registration plate.

As the investigation continues, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is looking for an individual of interest described as a black male in his early 30’s, approximately 6’0” to 6’2” tall, weighing about 185 pounds. He was wearing a black ball cap, a teal green plaid long sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and blue and white tennis shoes. This individual is possibly armed and should be approached with caution.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “We thank all the law enforcement agencies that responded alongside us so quickly. We continue to appreciate the teamwork of our law enforcement and civilian community. We ask that anyone that has information, contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at 828-837-2589 and ask for Detective Chapman.”

Sheriff Palmer encourages anyone with information to report it. 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.

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.​

During the early morning hours of Wednesday, September 14, 2016, Towns County deputies were dispatched to the area of Wahu Hu Drive in reference to reports of gunshots.

A Towns County Sheriff’s deputy made a traffic stop on a 2005 Honda Civic that was in the area. During the course of the investigation, Mary Adelaide Sweigart, age 25 of Doraville, Georgia, was arrested and charged with one (1) count of VGCSA Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute and one (1) count of Possession of Drug Related Objects.

During the course of the investigation, deputies seized the 2005 Honda Civic and a quantity of cash. The investigation remains active and ongoing at this time. 

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

Murphy, NC— Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the September 13th, 2016 arrest of Justin Ryan Barber, a 27-year-old Murphy, North Carolina man on charges of absconding.

Justin Barber who was convicted in 2008 in Cherokee County Superior Court for Incest. Barber, who had previously been convicted of a Failure to Register Violation, was scheduled to appear in Superior Court on August 22nd, 2016 on a current Probation Violation charge. Barber failed to appear as required and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

A search for Barber revealed that he had moved from his registered residence and his residence at that time was unknown. Barber had failed to inform the Sheriff of any address change.

As the investigation continued, information became known that Barber was living at a residence in the Hiwassee Dam community. When patrol deputies arrived at the residence, they were met by Barber at the front door who ran to the back of the house and apparently stripped out of clothing and jumped out the back window of the residence where he was captured, redressed and brought to the Cherokee County Detention Center.

Upon arriving at the Cherokee County Detention Center a wants and warrant check on Barber was made which revealed that he had an outstanding warrant in Georgia.

Barber was charged with FAILURE TO APPEAR ON FELONY PROBATION VIOLATION AND FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE. Barber was given a $25,000 secure bond and has a November 7, 2016 Superior Court date.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “This was some good work by the patrol deputies to capture Barber. Although there has been debate concerning the constitutionality of North Carolina Sex Offender Registry, I believe this is a good example why we have such laws and the importance of enforcing them.”

Sheriff Palmer encourages anyone with information to report it. 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.

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 the September 9th , 2016 arrest of 32-year-old Jason Lewis Brown, of Murphy, North Carolina, 42-year-old Travis Leon Brendle of Farner, Tennessee, 77-year-old Lakes Brendle of Murphy, North Carolina, 39-year-old Joshua Howard and 31-year-old Stephanie Blue of Marble, North Carolina on charges stemming from a joint investigation with the United States Forest Service and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

On the afternoon of September 9th, 2016, investigators with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Forest Service, and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission conducted two search warrants in search of archeological relics that had been illegally taken from protected lands.

During the first search conducted at the Brendle residence in the Violet Community of Cherokee County, several artifacts and relics were located and seized. Additionally, during the search of the residence, controlled substances and paraphernalia were located and seized. A Wants and Warrant check on individuals at the residence located warrants on Travis Brendle and Jason Brown. Lakes Brendle, Travis Brendle and Jason Brown were arrested and transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center.

In a second search conducted in the Marble community of Cherokee County, several pounds of marijuana, paraphernalia and numerous relics and artifacts were located. Joshua Howard and Stephanie Blue were the occupants of the Marble residence. They were both arrested and transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center.

Jason Brown was charged with PROBATION VIOLATION. He was taken before the Magistrate who set a $2,000 unsecure bond. Brown is expected to be in Cherokee County District Court on September 27th, 2016.

Travis Brendle was charged with two counts of FAILURE TO APPEAR ON MISDEMEANOR. He was taken before the Magistrate who set a $2,000 secure bond. Brendle is expected to be in Cherokee County District Court on September 27th, 2016.

Lakes Brendle was charged with MAINTAIN PLACE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, MANUFACTURE MARIJUANA, POSSESS WITH INTENT TO MANUFACTURE/SELL/DELIVER MARIJUANA, POSSESS METHAMPHETAMINE. Brendle was taken before the Magistrate who set a $5,000 secure bond. Brendle is expected to be in Cherokee County District Court on September 27th, 2016.

Joshua Howard and Stephanie Blue were charged with POSSESS MARIJUANA PARAPHERNALIA, POSSESS WITH INTENT TO MANUFACTURE/SELL/DELIVER MARIJUANA, POSSESS MARIJUANA GREATER THAN 1/2 OZ TO 1 1/2 OZ. Howard and Blue were taken before the magistrate who set a $2,500 secure bond on both. They are expected to be in Cherokee County District Court on September 27th, 2016.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “We continue to work cooperatively with all agencies whether it is state, local or federal. I am sure as the investigation progresses, there will be more charges.”

Sheriff Palmer encourages anyone with information on this crime or any other to report it. 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.

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

On Sunday morning, September 11, 2016 deputies with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office responded to two business burglaries. The businesses were identified as Cornerstone BP, located on Highway 76, and the Sunoco, located on Highway 17. Both businesses were located in Young Harris.

Both businesses were entered by cutting and knocking a hole in the outside wall of the businesses. Towns County Sheriff's Investigators believe these two burglaries are related. Investigators further believe these two burglaries to be related to several other recent burglaries reported in several surrounding counties over the last several months, being perpetrated by a crew of professional burglars.

Due to the multi-jurisdictional nature of these crimes, Towns County Sheriff's Office has reached out to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, who are already assisting in the other burglaries. Towns County Sheriff's Office has developed potential leads in the case and has recovered forensic evidence that we believe will be beneficial in solving this case.

According to Sheriff Clinton, Towns County Sheriff's Office will be taking an active role in identifying and bringing these burglars to justice. "We will be sharing information with other agencies that have had burglaries committed by these criminals. These are professional burglars. We don't typically deal with that type of crime here in Towns County, but we are fortunate to have detectives who have dealt with these types of cases in the past and we will do all that we can to bring these criminals to justice."

​These investigations are active and ongoing at this time. Anyone with information as to the suspects are asked to call Lt. Mark Cecci with the Towns County Sheriff's Office at 706-896-4444.