Murphy Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Sexual Assault of a Child

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

Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced that a Cherokee County Superior Court jury found Mark Edwin Jones, a 39-year-old Murphy, North Carolina man guilty of Sexual Offense Against a Child and Taking Indecent Liberties with a Child during the July 24th, 2017 Superior Court Session of Cherokee County preceded over by the Honorable Judge Martin B. Mcgee.

On April 10th, 2013 a report was made to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office alleging that Jones had sexually assaulted a female child under the age of 10 years. Cherokee County Sheriff’s Detective Tiffany Holland began conducting the investigation into the allegation. Detective Holland enlisted the assistance of HAVEN Child Advocacy Center in her investigation. After conducting additional interviews and collecting additional information, Detective Holland presented the case to the North Carolina Magistrate and obtained warrants for Jones’ arrest. Jones was arrested and was subsequently released upon posting a secure bond.

​After the two day trial, which began July 25th, 2017, Superior Court Judge Martin B. Mcgee sentenced Jones to a minimum of 300 months in the Division of Adult Corrections for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. Upon release, Jones will be required to register for the remainder of his life and have no contact with the victim.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “Excellent work by Detective Holland and ADA John Hindsman. These are never easy cases both on the family and the investigators and court personnel who work them. We appreciate the jury’s verdict and the judge’s sentence to help keep our community and our youth safe.”

To report crime in Cherokee County, 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.