Couple arrested for possession of drugs and guns

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.