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.

Sheriff Davis said Nathan Brice Garrett was arrested last week for multiple break-ins in the Warne community. The charges Garrett is facing are specifically for three residences.

During the execution of a search warrant, Clay County Investigators discovered more than 60 items of stolen property and were able to recover them and return them to their rightful owners. 
 
Sheriff Davis said Garrett has been charged with 10 felonies including Second Degree Burglary, multiple felony counts of Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of Burglary Tools, and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle.  Garrett made bond on the $27,000 bond he had already received. His most recent charges got him a $17,000 unsecure bond. 
 
Sheriff Davis said his office is constantly striving to make headway in break-ins, and is happy to see an arrest was made in these. As always, Sheriff Davis encourages the people of Clay County to report suspicious activity, but to also take precautions themselves to keep from being a victim. This can sometimes be done through simply securing property and looking out for your neighbors. Sheriff Davis said if you see something that does not look quite right to call and have it looked in to. 

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 Monday October 24, 2016, a Clay County Sheriff’s Investigator was on Burch Cove following up on a stolen four wheeler. Two Patrol Deputies arrived to assist when they discovered a subject on scene had had outstanding warrants for child support. 
                              
The subject, Greg Moss, physically resisted arrest when the Deputies told him they had warrants for his arrest. Moss attempted to get something out of his pocket and a scuffle ensued. During the scuffle, Deputy Steven Evans injured his foot. It was later discovered he had broken it. 
 
The object in Moss’ pocket turned out to be a metal container containing methamphetamine and other various pills. Moss was charged with Resisting Public Officer, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Simple Possession of Schedule IV Controlled Substance. He received a $17,000 secured bond and is still in custody at the Clay County Detention Center. 

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.

The Towns County Sheriff’s Office, on Saturday, October 22, 2016, arrested and booked into the Towns County Detention Center, two suspects on Aggravated Child Molestation charges. Daniel Guffey, age 22 of Blairsville, Georgia was arrested and charged with one (1) count of Aggravated Child Molestation and one (1) count of Statutory Rape.

Also arrested was Gregory Andrew Guffey, age 25 of Young Harris, Georgia. He was arrested and charged with one (1) Count of Aggravated Child Molestation.

A report was received by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office of incidents of child sexual abuse which had occurred in Towns County.

Upon completing their investigation, Towns County Sheriff's Investigators obtained arrest warrants on the two suspects. The suspects were arrested without incident and booked into the Towns County Detention Center. Both suspects remain in custody without bond at this time.

​The case will be forwarded to the Towns County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

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

Sheriff Davis said at approximately 10:00 AM on Sunday October 16, 2016, Clay County deputies were dispatched to a report of domestic violence on Fires Creek Road. While in route to the scene, deputies were advised that the male subject involved was threatening harm to himself and law enforcement if they arrived at the house. He then discharged a high-powered rifle outside the residence and proceeded to walk into the wooded area across from the house.
 
Clay County Deputies and the North Carolina Highway Patrol closed a portion of Fires Creek Road in an attempt to contain the male subject. Neighbors in the area were notified through the use of a “Code Red” as to what was going on; also to lock their doors, and be on the lookout for the male subject. Sheriff Davis also requested assistance from Cherokee Tribal Police Swat Team for manpower and the use of their armored vehicle.
 
Around 2:00 PM, the male subject called his wife and told her he would be returning home unarmed. A short time later he arrived at the house and was taken into custody without incident. The male subject was not armed at the time he was taken into custody but told law enforcement officers where the rifle was located and it was secured safely.
 
Sheriff Davis said the male subject was taken for an Involuntary Commitment and his name would not be released due to the commitment, unless criminal charges were obtained.
 
Sheriff Davis is extremely grateful this situation concluded without injury to anyone involved. He is also thankful to the off duty deputies that responded to help with the situation, and to the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the Cherokee Tribal Police for their assistance. Sheriff Davis said he was happy to see so much help without any hesitation. He said this easily could have turned into an extremely dangerous situation and he was glad to see so many willing to come stand at our side.

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 that during a joint investigation with Cherokee Tribal Police Department on October 7th, 2016, 32-year-old Matthew Crackle and 23-year-old Alison Hope Simpson, both of Cleveland, Tennessee were arrested for violations of controlled substance laws.

Around 2:40 am on October 7th, 2016 a Cherokee Tribal Officer requested assistance at Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino located in Cherokee County, North Carolina. Patrol and Narcotics officers with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call for assistance. During the investigation, a large quantity of controlled substances and a handgun were found in the vehicle occupied by Crackle and Simpson.  Both were detained and taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center.

Matthew Crackle was charged with TRAFFICKING IN OPIUM OR HEROIN, CARRYING CONCEALED GUN, POSSESS WITH INTENT TO SELL/DELIVER MARIJUANA, POSS W/I MANUF/SELL/DEL SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, POSS W/I MANUF/SELL/DEL SCHEDULE IV CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. Crackle was released upon making a $60,000 secure bond. He is to appear in Cherokee County District Court on October 25th, 2016.

Alison Simpson was charged with SIMPLE POSSESSION SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, SIMPLE POSSESSION SCHEDULE V CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, SIMPLE POSSESS SCH VI CS. Simpson was released upon making a $500 secure bond. She is appear in Cherokee County District Court on October 25th, 2016.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “This was a great team effort in getting a large quantity of drugs off the street. We are always glad to assist our Tribal neighbors. Again, we see the disregard these folks have in mixing drugs and guns a very dangerous combination.”

Sheriff Palmer encourages any one 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 Clay County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Clay County Sheriff Vic Davis reports that just before noon on Thursday, October 6, 2016, School Resource Officers (SROs) were notified of a parent on campus that had not checked in with the office at Hayesville Elementary School. Officers located the man, identified as Richard Glenn Scroggs of Hayesville, on the Elementary School playground talking to his son.
 
Officers approached Scroggs and questioned him as to his reason to be on campus and informed him of the need to check in at the office. While officers were waiting on a warrant check, they discovered Scroggs had a loaded firearm in his vehicle on school campus. Soon afterwards, the officers were notified of an active warrant on Scroggs and attempted to place him under arrest. At this time, Scroggs ran through the campus, but was taken down by officers after a short foot chase.  

Sheriff Davis wants everyone to understand Scroggs never entered any building during the chase nor did the weapon ever leave his vehicle.
 
Scroggs was taken before a magistrate where a $40,000 secured bond was issued for his outstanding warrant. The weapon and Scroggs’ vehicle were seized pursuant to the investigation. Scroggs was also charged with Felony Possession of a Firearm on School Campus, Felony Possession of Methamphetamine on School Campus, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting public officer. He is under a $50,000 secured bond on the additional charges.
 
Sheriff Davis is thankful for a speedy response by the SROs to resolve this situation in a safe and efficient manner.

MURPHY, NC, October 6, 2016 - The Panther Top Shooting Range on the Tusquitee Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest in Cherokee County, NC, is temporarily closed due to fire activity.

The 5-acre Panther Top Fire, reported early this morning, has been contained by U.S. Forest Service firefighters. Smoke will be visible as the fire continues to creep and crawl under leaf litter before it is fully extinguished.

For firefighter and public safety, the public is asked to stay away from the fire area.

The Panther Top Shooting Range is expected to be closed until at least noon on Friday but may be closed longer depending upon fire activity.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

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 October 3rd, 2016 arrest of 72-year-old Russel Joseph Dispenza on charges involving allegations of Sex Offenses with a child.

During the month of January 2016, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of a child sexual assault. Working in conjunction with HAVEN Child Advocacy Center, the Cherokee County Department of Social Services and the Tennessee Department of Family and Children Services, an investigation was undertaken which identified Dispenza as suspect in the case. The investigation was presented to the September setting of the Cherokee County Grand Jury which handed down indictments for Statutory Sex Offense, and two counts Indecent Liberties with a Child.

Dispenza was arrested on the indictments and is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center under a $100,000 secure bond. Dispenza 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 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