Suspicious persons report leads to 2 arrests

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— Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the August 3, 2015 arrest of a 35 year Murphy, North Carolina man, Kevin Dwayne Cornwell, and 29 year old Laurann Danielle Hancock of Blue Ridge, Georgia following an investigation into suspicious persons living at a residence in the Culberson Community of Cherokee County, North Carolina.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the owner of a rental property in Culberson that there were persons who were living there unlawfully. Upon the responding deputy’s arrival, Cornwell, Hancock and two other individuals fled a short distance into a wooded area adjacent to the residence in question. The responding deputy, along with investigators, were able to locate the fleeing individuals. 

Upon running a wants and warrants check on the four, information was made known that Cornwell had an outstanding warrant for Breaking and Entering and Larceny. Additionally information was made known that Hancock had a warrant for Failure to Appear on Identity Theft charges in Fannin County, Georgia.  

Hancock was taken before the Magistrate who set a $5,000 secure bond which she later posted and was released from the Cherokee County Detention Center pending a August 19th, 2015 Cherokee County District Court date.

Cornwell was brought to the Cherokee County Detention Center where he is currently being detained under a $10,000 secure bond and also has a August 19th, 2015 Cherokee County District Court date.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “Again good team work by personnel of my Office. This incident was reported and a short time later two wanted individuals were captured. It appears this is not these individuals first encounter with law enforcement, especially Mr. Cornwell.”

To report crime in Cherokee County, 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.