Robbinsville: Charges dropped in drug operation
Charges have been dropped against multiple people following an 11-month undercover investigation involving multiple agencies in three counties.
The office of District Attorney Ashley Welch dismissed all the charges related to the investigation. Dismissals simply read, "After further investigation," but offered no further explanation about the decision to drop charges.
A report in the Graham Star in Robbinsville, the Graham County Sheriff's Office spearheaded the initial efforts of Operation Dirty Laundry in 2024, after receiving tips regarding illegal drug and gambling activity at three local businesses: The Greener Side Dispensary, The Washboard Laundromat and Z's Tobacco & Vape.
In the case of the two latter businesses, both illicit drug and gambling activity was suspected; only illegal drug activity was alleged at The Greener Side Dispensary.
The investigation culminated with four local arrests Nov. 22, 2024, as well as 37 additional arrests Nov. 26, 2024 in Graham, Cherokee and Clay counties.
Since that operation, sheriffs in two of the three counties involved left office under unusual circumstances – Dustin Smith resigned in Cherokee County after Welch notified him that she lacked confidence in him, and Brad Hoxit was removed from office in Graham County due to alleged ethical breaches.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was also having issues with its evidence room and a no-confidence notification submitted by Welch to one of Smith’s senior deputies at the time.
In addition to six vehicles and over $1 million in assets, a laundry list of narcotics were seized.
Those arrested in connection with Operation Dirty Laundry were: Mohamed Abdullah Almasmari, Ayad Radwan Alsalme, Mitchell Wayne Ayers, Randy Heath Blevins, Shauntae Antoinette Boykin, Patrick Ryan Burchfield, Joshua Randall Cable, Ritchie Lynn Campbell, Daniel Glenn Cooper, Joshua James "JJ" Crisp, Rebecca Ann Crisp, Samuel Henry Crisp, Ray Marcus Freeman, Casey Trent Freeman, Hannah Lynn Garrison, Gary Dion Harris, Lisa Denene James, Keith Jordan, Terry Cain Jordan, Lisa Ann Jumper, Christy Lee Lofty, Felicia Ann Mayberry, Donna Rose Messer, Carla Suzanne Moore, Angel Nichole Morgan, Brian Jude Muncy, Kevin Ray Nations, Aaron Keith Orr, Travis Wesley Orr, Kristy Meshell Phillips, Michael Ray Phillips, Charlona Leshon Pressley, Miranda Nicole Rutland, Wayne William Sawyer, III., Timothy Andrew Sellers, Dennis James Solles, Derek Channing Trull, Brittany Paige Underwood, Willem Adriaan Van De Weerd, Larry Ted Williams and Dale Henry Wilson.
Murphy: Break-in and arson alleged
Deputies and detectives with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office arrested two people following a vehicle break-in investigation and subsequent arson incident at King Ford.
On May 21, deputies responded to King Ford after several vehicles were broken into at the car dealership.
Deputies reviewed surveillance footage and identified the suspect as Zachary Dewayne Frady, 36, of Murphy.
Later, at about 8:30 p.m. that day, the Murphy Fire Department responded to a fire involving a shipping container on the property and requested assistance from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office regarding a possible arson investigation.
Additional surveillance footage showed that Frady was involved in the fire as well and was accompanied by a female later identified as Leah Sterling Mills, 31, of Murphy.
An off-duty sergeant notified detectives that a female known to be associated with Frady had contacted King Ford requesting to retrieve personal belongings left at the business.
After reviewing surveillance footage from the previous evening, detectives identified the female as Mills.
Upon arriving to retrieve her belongings, Mills was taken into custody and charged with Aid and Abet Felony Arson.
Mills is confined in the Cherokee County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond.
Later, detectives received information regarding Frady’s whereabouts. Sheriff Chris Wood and Detective T.J. Major responded to the residence to assist with the arrest.
During the encounter, Frady was confronted as he attempted to exit through a basement door where he physically resisted arrest before being quickly taken into custody and transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center.
Frady was charged with:
• Felony Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle
• Felony Burning of a Commercial Building (Unoccupied)
• Felony Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle with Theft
• Felony Larceny
• Two counts of First-Degree Trespass
Frady is confined in the Cherokee County Detention Center without bond.
Sheriff Chris Wood issued the following statement: “This case is an example of the outstanding teamwork between our Deputies, Detectives, Fire Department personnel, and even observant off-duty staff,” said Sheriff Chris Wood. “Criminal activity like this will not be tolerated in Cherokee County, and we will continue working aggressively to hold those responsible accountable.”
Murphy: Deputies complete advanced SWAT course
Three deputies successfully completed advanced SWAT course.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office announced that Capt. Sean Myers, Agent Parker Southard, and Agent Hunter Wood have successfully completed an intensive Advanced SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) Course following their prior certification and completion of Basic SWAT training.
This advanced-level training is designed to further develop tactical proficiency, leadership, operational planning, and critical decision-making skills in high-risk environments. The course covered a wide range of specialized topics including team leadership, operational planning, multi-structure tactics, breaching techniques, drone and UAV operations, armored vehicle operations, NVG/thermal imaging, and advanced firearms training.
While these skills are critical in a tactical response environment, the benefits of this training extend far beyond SWAT operations. The leadership, communication, situational awareness, and decision-making abilities developed during advanced tactical training directly improve overall law enforcement effectiveness and enhance the safety of both deputies and the community they serve every day.
Andrews: Vehicle search leads to drug arrest
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a saturation patrol operation in the Andrews area on the afternoon of May 20.
Members of the Patrol Division, General Investigations Division, Narcotics Investigations Division, and Administrative Staff participated in the operation.
During the patrol, Sheriff Chris Wood and Patrol K-9 Sgt. Timothy Leslie conducted a vehicle stop involving a Lexus passenger vehicle in the parking lot of the State Employees Credit Union off Main Street in Andrews.
The sheriff’s office said that during the stop, probable cause was developed to conduct a search of the vehicle. The sheriff’s office did not elaborate.
As a result of the search, Brandi Lucille Jones, 42, of Lincolnton, was arrested and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine.
Jones was being held at the Cherokee County Detention Center under a $3,000 secured bond.
Sheriff Chris Wood stated: “No community in Cherokee County will be forgotten by our office. Whether you reside in the unincorporated areas of the county or within the town limits, we will respond to the needs of our citizens. I thank Chief Caleb Stiles for the working relationship that our agencies have. This arrest is in large part due to information sharing.”
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to proactive enforcement efforts and continued cooperation with our local law enforcement partners to keep Cherokee County safe.
Murphy: Search warrant leads to more charges
On May 18, investigators with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at 2235 Barnett Road in Murphy, the residence of Jeffery Kenneth Stiles.
Stiles, who was arrested on drug charges in early April, had active warrants for arrest on charges of Larceny and Larceny After Breaking and Entering. During the execution of the search warrant, investigators located two loaded handguns and methamphetamine inside the residence. Investigators also recovered stolen property during the search.
As a result, Stiles was additionally charged with:
• Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon
• Possession of Stolen Property
• Possession of Methamphetamine
Stiles was already out on bond for Trafficking Methamphetamine and was found to be in violation of his bond conditions. He received no bond.
Sheriff Chris Wood commends the investigators and deputies involved for their continued efforts in protecting the citizens of Cherokee County and combating illegal drug activity and property crimes in our community.
Previously, a months-long investigation concluded when law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence on Barnett Road.
As a result of the search, suspected methamphetamine was seized. At the time the warrant was executed, the resident was not present. Authorities subsequently obtained an arrest warrant for Stiles.
Stiles later surrendered himself to the Cherokee County Detention Center and had been charged with the following:
• Felony Trafficking in Methamphetamine
• Felony Maintaining a Dwelling
• Simple Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Stiles was issued a secured bond of $100,000.
This arrest is the result of a coordinated investigation that has led to the apprehension of numerous individuals on drug-related charges.
Marble: Indecent exposure charged
On May 17, a female Animal Services Officer with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in Murphy to verify that an animal was receiving proper veterinary care.
During the visit, the resident, identified as Michael Lloyd Johnson, 50, of Murphy, allegedly exposed himself to the officer.
On May 18, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office General Investigations Division initiated an investigation into the incident. Following the investigation, warrants were obtained charging Johnson with Indecent Exposure.
Johnson was arrested at his residence without incident and transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center, where he is currently being held under no bond.