Cherokee County men arrested for violations of state registry

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

Murphy, NC— Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the April 28th, 2016 arrest of Arnold Jack Godfrey, a 36-year-old Murphy, North Carolina man and the May 3rd, 2016 arrest of Gabriel Ray Palmer, a 39-year-old Murphy, North Carolina man for violations of the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry.

​Both Godfrey and Palmer had been arrested on indictments for violations of the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry and had been released on bond pending their next Superior Court date.  Both Palmer and Godfrey had failed to come to court as required and warrants for their arrest were issued.

During November of 2015, Palmer moved from his residence in Murphy and failed to return his verification form. Indictments were issued from the Cherokee County Grand Jury charging Palmer with the two additional felony charges for the sex offender registry violations as well as indicting him as a Habitual Felon.

During the month of April 2016, Godfrey failed to report and failed to return his verification form. Indictments were issued by the Cherokee County Grand Jury for the additional sex offender registry violations. Additionally, Godfrey was found to have a civil order for arrest for back child support.

Godfrey is currently in the Cherokee County Detention Center on a $39,762.00 secure bond with a July 11th, 2016 Superior Court date.

Palmer is currently in the Cherokee County Detention Center on a $120,000.00 secure bond with a July 11th, 2016 Superior Court date.

Sheriff Palmer said, “My Office is committed to protecting the community including ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Sex Offender Registry. The duties these individuals are required to follow are explained to them completely, notifications are mailed to them as reminders and we check on them on a regular basis, so it is hard to understand these issues of non-compliance.”

Sheriff Palmer encourages anyone that has 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.