Local Arrests

(All information and photos supplied by the Yancey County Sheriff's Department and/or Burnsville Police Department)

Henson Arrested

David Jay Henson

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested David Jay Henson 31, of
Burnsville, North Carolina and charged him with one count of Felonious
Possession of Cocaine. Henson was taken before a Yancey County
Magistrate and released from the Yancey County Detention Center after
posting a $ 2,000.00 secured bond. Henson is scheduled to appear in
Yancey County District Court on August 31, 2010. Chief Deputy Thomas
L. Farmer stated that Henson was taken into custody immediately after
posting bond on the latest Yancey County charges and turned over to
Mitchell County authorities who served outstanding warrants on him for
drug related offenses that are pending in Mitchell County as well.

John Wayne Bailey Arrested

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested John Wayne Bailey 28, of
 Marion, North Carolina and charged him with
numerous drug violations that were committed in the Busick Community
of Yancey County.

Bailey was charged with two counts of Felonious Sell &Delivery of
Schedule II (Opiate) Prescription Drugs, two counts of Felonious Sell
& Delivery of Schedule IV Prescription Drugs, two counts of Felonious
Possession With Intent To Sale & Deliver Schedule II Prescription
drugs, two counts of Felonious Possession With Intent To Sale &
Deliver Schedule IV Prescription Drugs, one count of Maintaining A
Vehicle To Sell and Transport Illegal Drugs, one count of Possessing
Drug Paraphernalia, one count of Driving While License Revoked and one
count of Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Insurance.

Yancey County Sheriff Gary Banks stated that Bailey was taken into
custody by Chief Deputy Thomas L. Farmer and Deputies L. R. Higgins
and R.R. Bailey after he arrived in Yancey County shortly before mid
night on Monday August 23, 2010 and sold and delivered prescription
medication.

Bailey was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and released from
the Yancey County Detention Center after posting a $ 23,500.00 secured
bond. Bailey is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on
August 31, 2010.

Sherlin Arrested

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Monica Quinn Sherlin 41,
of Burnsville, North Carolina and charged her with one count of
Felonious Breaking & Entering, one count of Felonious Larceny and one
count of Felonious Possession of Stolen Property.

Sherlin was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and placed in the
Yancey County Jail where she remains under a $ 6,500.00 secured bond.

Yancey County Sheriff Gary Banks stated that Sherlin is alleged to
have entered into a residence located in the Seven Mile Ridge
Community of Yancey County with the intent to steal prescription
medication and did in fat remove medication from the residence .

Sheriff Banks stated that Sherlin is scheduled to appear in Yancey
County District Court on August 24, 2010.

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Keith Allen Wyatt 52, of
 Greenmountain, North Carolina and charged him with three counts of Felonious Indecent Liberties With A Minor. Wyatt was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and placed in the Yancey County Detention Center where he remains under a $ 30,000.00 secured bond.

Yancey County Chief Deputy Sheriff Thomas L. Farmer was the
investigating officer. Chief Deputy Farmer stated that the Wyatt
arrest was a result of a lengthy investigation conducted by Yancey
County Sheriff Department Personnel with the assistance of the Yancey
County Department of Social Services and Yancey County District
Attorney’s Office.

Chief Deputy Farmer stated that Wyatt is alleged to have engaged,
participated and encouraged indecent, immoral and illegal sexual
conduct with minor female children in his supervision, custody and
control at his Greenmountain residence.

Farmer stated that alleged offenses are believed to have occurred
between 2001-2004. Chief Deputy Farmer stated that the minor children
who were in the Wyatt home have been in Social Service Custody since
the initial allegations against Wyatt were made.

Foreman Arrested

Ricky Eugene Foreman

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Ricky Eugene Foreman 42,
of 90 Greer Lane, Burnsville, North Carolina and charged him with one
count of Felonious Manufacturing Marijuana, one count of Felonious
Maintaining A Dwelling Place To Keep Controlled Substances, one count
of Possessing Marijuana and one count of Possessing Drug
Paraphernalia.Foreman was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and placed in theYancey County Detention Center where he remains under a $ 5,000.00 secured bond.

According to Yancey County Chief Deputy Thomas L. Farmer of the Yancey
County Sheriff’s Department Foreman was found to be growing Marijuana
inside a residence where he resides located in the Pensacola Community
of Southern Yancey County.

Foreman is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on
August 24, 2010.

Errickson Arrested

Matthew Tom Errickson

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Matthew Tom Errickson 18,
of 313 Celo View Trail, Burnsville, North Carolina and charged him
with one count of Breaking & Entering, one count of Injury To Personal
Property, one count of Possessing Marijuana and one count of
Possessing Drug Paraphernalia.

Yancey County Sheriff Gary Banks stated that Errickson was taken
before a Yancey County Magistrate and placed in the Yancey County
Detention Center where he remains under a $ 5,000.00 secured bond.
Errickson is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on
September 24, 2010.

Sheriff Banks stated that Errickson unlawfully entered into an
unoccupied residence located in the Seven Mile Ridge Community in an
attempt to steal money. At the time Errickson was taken into custody
he was found to be in possession of Marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Doyle Arrested

Brandi Doyle

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Brandi Doyle 24, of
Spruce Pine, North Carolina and charged her with one count of
Felonious Breaking and Entering, one count of Felonious Larceny and
one count of Felonious Possession of Stolen Property.

Doyle was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and released from
the Yancey County Detention Center after posting a $ 9,000.00 secured
bond. Arrest Warrants on file in the Yancey County Clerk of Court’s
Office stated that Doyle was charged with entering the residence of
Thelma B. Wilson located at 5 Beverly Lane, Burnsville, North
Carolina on or about June 25, 2010 and stealing property.Doyle is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on August 24, 2010.

Hinds Arrested

Daniel Joseph Hinds

On August 05, 2010, Daniel Joseph Hinds, 29, of the Green Mountain
Community was arrested by Officer Michael Capellupo of the Burnsville
Police Department. Hinds was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate
and charged with Felony Delivery of a Schedule II Controlled Substance
liquid Methadone. It is alleged that Hinds met with a female in a
local business parking lot and provided her with a dose of liquid
methadone. Hinds was given a $2000.00 secured bond and has a August
24, 2010 court date in Yancey County District Court.

Cheatham Sentenced

Darren Gene Cheatham

On August 17, 2009 Darren Gene Cheatham 42 of
Burnsville, North Carolina was sentenced to spend one year in the
North Carolina Department of Corrections for violating the terms of a
probationary sentence he received for the offense of Possessing A
Firearm While Being A Convicted Felon that he was charged with by
Yancey County Sheriff Deputies after he shot into an occupied dwelling
in December 2008.

Cheatham was released from the North Carolina Department of
Corrections on Monday August 2, 2010 with his 2009 sentence served.
Rather than being released to society Cheatham was immediately taken
into custody and charged with one count of Communicating Threats To
Harm his estranged wife Heather Dawn Cheatham of Burnsville, North
Carolina.

Chief Deputy Thomas L. Farmer of the Yancey County Sheriff’s
Department stated that while in the custody of the North Carolina
Department of Corrections Cheatham is alleged to have mailed letters
to his estranged wife making threats in the letters to harm her upon
his release from prison.

Cheatham was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and placed in the
Yancey County Jail where he remains under NO BOND. Cheatham is
scheduled to appear in Yancey County Court on August 20, 2010.

Certified Nursing Assistant Faces Criminal Charges for Elder Abuse

Melissa McKinney Ramsey

Melissa McKinney Ramsey 41, of Spruce Pine, North Carolina has been
arrested by Yancey County Sheriff Deputies and charged with two counts
of Misdemeanor Assault on a Handicapped Person.

The arrest was made and the listed charges were filed against McKinney
at the direction of District Attorney Gerald W. Wilson after the
results of a criminal investigation into allegations of patient abuse
at Brookside Rehabilitation were submitted to the District Attorney’s
Office in Burnsville, North Carolina

Yancey County Sheriff Gary Banks stated that a joint investigation
into alleged patient abuse was conducted by Yancey County Sheriff
Deputies, Burnsville Police Officers and Adult Protective Social
Workers with the Yancey County Department of Social Services after
Chief Deputy Thomas Farmer received a report from Brookside
Rehabilitation Center Administrators that they were investigating one
of their own certified Nursing assistants for alleged physical abuse.

In addition Brookside Rehabilitation reported the alleged abuse to
family members of two elderly male residents who suffer from dementia.
Sheriff Banks stated that the names of the two male victims, one 84
and one 82 will not be released to the public at the request of their
family.

Sheriff Banks stated that an investigations in to the allegations
revealed that both men were physically assaulted by Ramsey while she
was providing care for them in their respective rooms on a early
morning in July 2010.

Sheriff Banks stated both men sustained injuries to their face and eye
area after it is alleged that Ramsey struck them in the eye and facial
with her fist.

Sheriff Banks stated that Brookside Rehabilitation immediately ordered
that Ramsey leave the premises after the allegations were made and the
injuries on the two men were discovered and she has since been
terminated from Brookside Rehabilitation.

Sheriff Banks stated that the proper licensing authorities with the
Nursing Board have been contacted as well and made aware of the
allegations.

Sheriff Banks stated that the two male victims were both examined by
medical personnel and found to have suffered only minor lacerations
and deep bruising in the facial and eye areas and neither sustained
any facial fractures or broken bones.

Sheriff Banks stated that so far it appears that this was an isolated
incident and no other employee was involved in the abuse of the two
victims. Sheriff Banks stated that the staff at Brookside
Rehabilitation was cooperative with law enforcement throughout the
investigation and the incident was certainly unfortunate and should
never have occurred.

Ramsey was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and released from
the Yancey County Detention Center in lieu of posting a $ 2,000.00
bond. Ramsey is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on
August 24, 2010.

Hazard Arrested

Andrew Lee Hazard

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Andrew Lee Hazard 22, of
459 Vaughan Road, Spruce Pine, North Carolina and charged him with one
count of Breaking & Entering and one count of Larceny. Hazard was
taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and placed in the Yancey

County Jail where he remains under a $ 5,000.00 secured bond. Yancey
County Sheriff Gary Banks stated that Hazard was charged with entering
into a camper owned by Ernest Petty that was located on a lot in the
Micaville Community of Yancey County. Sheriff Banks stated that Hazard
is suspected of entering other locations in Micaville and the
investigation into those incidents is continuing.

Hazard is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on
August 31, 2010.

Sparks, King Arrested

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Bobby David Sparks 22,
and Amber Lynn King 35 ,both of 71 Pensacola School Road, Burnsville,
North Carolina and charged them with Misdemeanor and Felony offenses
involving a stolen check. Sparks was charged with one count of
Felonious Uttering A Stolen Check and one count of Felony Obtaining
Property By False Pretenses. King was charged with one count of
Misdemeanor Larceny and one count of Felonious Forgery of a Stolen
check.

Yancey County Sheriff Gary Banks stated that Sparks and King acted
together in the theft of personal checks owned by Douglas Harrison and
after having the checks in their custody they acted together to obtain
money and did in fact obtain money by forging and passing the stolen
checks.

Sparks and King were taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and
remain in the Yancey County Jail. Sparks bond was set at $ 6,000.00
secured and bond in the King matter was set at $ 3,500.00 secured.

Sparks and King will each appear make their first appearance in Yancey
County District Court on Friday July 30, 2010.

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested James David Hall 22, of
55 Welsie Adkins Road, Spruce Pine, North Carolina and charged him
with one count of Felonious Breaking & Entering A Motor Vehicle and
one count of Felonious Larceny of A Motor Vehicle. Yancey County
Sheriff Gary Banks stated that Hall was charged with stealing a 1996
Ford F-150 pick up truck in the early morning hours of June 28, 2010
from the parking lot of Austin Automotive in the East Yancey Community
of Yancey County. Sheriff Banks stated that the truck was recovered
form a location near Halls residence in Mitchell County. Sheriff Banks
stated that his officers were assisted in the recovery of the stolen
truck by Mitchell County Sheriff Deputies.

Hall was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and remains in the
Yancey County Jail under a $ 6,000.00 secured bond. Hall is scheduled
to appear in Yancey County District Court on July 7, 2010.

On July 1st, 2010 Brandon Joseph Williams,28,of Coco
Lane, Burnsville,NC was arrested and served with arrest warrants by
Sergeant Gerald Barnett of the Burnsville Police Department. The
arrest offenses where for the following offenses: sell and deliver a
schedule II controlled substance (oxycodone), possession with intent
to sell and deliver a controlled substance (oxycodone)and possession
of a schedule II controlled substance (oxycodone). This arrest was
resulted by an investigation conducted by Lt. Detective Randall
Shuford. Williams was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and
given a $6500.00 secured bond.Williams is scheduled to appear in
Yancey County District Court on July 7th, 2010.

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Jason Todd Laws 32, of
145 Saw Mill Hollow Road, Burnsville, North Carolina and charged him
with one count of Felonious Forgery, one count of Felonious Uttering,
one count of Felonious Obtaining Property By False Pretenses and one
count of Misdemeanor Larceny.

Yancey County Sheriff Gary Banks stated that Laws is alleged to have
forged and passed personal checks that he stole from a relative at
local businesses to obtain money. Sheriff Banks stated that Laws is
also suspect of being responsible for other unrelated thefts that have
been reported to the Sheriff’s Department.

Laws was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and placed in the
Yancey County Jail where he remains under a $ 7,000.00 secured bond.Laws is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on July 30, 2010.

Sheriff Deputies Arrest Three on Multiple Counts of Forgery and
Obtaining Property By False Pretenses
 

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Cassie W. Burleson 30, of
15 Wood Duck Lane, Burnsville, North Carolina and charged her with 13
counts of Felonious Obtaining Money By False Pretenses, 13 counts of
Felonious Forgery and 12 counts of Felonious Uttering/Passing Stolen
checks. Burleson was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and
placed in the Yancey County Detention Center where she remains under a
$ 102,000.00 secured bond.

Sgt. John D. Robinson of the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department was
the investigating and arresting officer.Sgt. Robinson stated that Burleson is alleged to have stolen personal checks from a family member in May 2010 and did forge and pass those checks at local businesses in Yancey County and obtained thousands of dollars illegally.

In addition to Burleson Yancey County Sheriff Deputies arrested Holly
L. Bowers 29, of 605 Bill Allen Branch Road, Burnsville, North
Carolina and charged her with one count of Felonious Uttering a Forged
Check and one count of Felonious Obtaining Property by False
Pretenses. Bower was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and
released from the Yancey County Detention Center after posting a $
6,000.00 secured bond. Bowers was charged in addition to Burleson as
she is alleged to have passed one of the stolen checks for Burleson
and did obtain money illegally.

And finally Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested James Timothy
Cooper 35, of 45 Deneen Road, Burnsville, North Carolina and charged
him with one count of Felonious Uttering A Stolen Check and one count
of Obtaining Property by False Pretenses. Cooper was taken before a
Yancey County Magistrate and released from the Yancey County Detention
Center after posting a $ 6,000.00 secured bond. Cooper was charged in
addition to Burleson and Bowers as he is alleged to have passed one of
the stolen checks for Burleson and did obtain money illegally.

Burleson, Bower and Cooper are all scheduled to appear in Yancey
County District Court on July 7, 2010.

Dills, Moran Arrested

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Randel Lee Dills 48, of
28 Daffodil Lane, Waynesville, North Carolina and charged him with one
count of Felonious Possession With The Intent To Sell and Deliver
Schedule IV Drugs (Alprazolam), one count of Possessing Schedule II
Controlled Substances (Oxycodone), and two counts of Possessing
Prescription Drugs Outside Properly Labeled Containers. Dills was
taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and released from the Yancey
County Detention Center after posting a $ 3,500.00 secured bond. Dills
is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on July 7,
2010.


Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Terrance John Moran 46,
of 103 Bradshaw Circle, Candler, North Carolina and charged him with
one count of Illegal Possession of Morphine a Schedule II Controlled
Substance, one count of Possessing Marijuana, one count of Possessing
Drug paraphernalia and one count of Possessing Prescription Drugs
Outside of Properly Labeled Containers. Moran was taken before a
Yancey County Magistrate and released from the Yancey County Detention
Center in lieu of posting a $ 2,000.00 bond. Moran is scheduled to
appear in Yancey County District Court on July 7, 2010.


Chief Deputy Thomas L. Farmer who investigated the Dills and Moran
cases stated that the Sheriff’s Department is working hard to arrest
those persons who choose to sell, distribute and abuse prescription
pain medication and other illicit drugs.Farmer stated that Burnsville Police Officers are arresting numerous individuals for drug violations as well. Farmer stated that it is obvious that all law enforcement agencies that border and surround Yancey County are working hard to combat the current prescription drug epidemic that the entire country is currently faced with.
Farmer stated that the continued cooperation to combat drug abuse
between law enforcement, medical doctors, pharmacists, and the
community as a whole is a must in the current fight against
prescription drug abuse. Farmer stated that prescription drug abuse is
broad in its reach and implications and all efforts must be made to
stop the problem.

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Dustin Lee Silver 34, of
Country Meadows Lane, Burnsville, North Carolina and charged him with
one count of Driving While License Revoke, one count of Exceeding a
Safe Speed and one count of Possessing Drug Paraphernalia.Silver was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and released from
the Yancey County Jail after posting a $ 3,500.00 secured bond.Silver is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on July 30, 2010.
At the time of this latest arrest Silver was being sought by Sheriff
Deputies after numerous reports were made to the Sheriff’s Department
in regard to the unsafe and reckless driving that Silver was doing in
the Pensacola Community of Yancey County. Deputy L.R. Higgins and M.B.
Davis responded to the Pensacola area and located Silver and took him
into custody. North Carolina Court Records indicate that Silver is currently out of jail on bond in Yancey and Madison County and facing court in both
counties. In Yancey County Silver has Felonious Breaking & Entering
and Larceny as well as Probation Violations, Drug Violations, and
Motor vehicle Offenses pending and has a Driving While Impaired and
Driving While License Revoked charges pending.

On Friday June 18, 2010 Jeremiah A. Johnson 33, of 1049 Presnell
Hollow Road, Burnsville, North Carolina was served with warrants for
his arrest charging him with 2 counts of Cruelty To Animals. Johnson
was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and released from the
Yancey County Detention Center in lieu of posting a $ 1,000.00 bond.

The initial charges were filed after an investigation revealed that
Johnson unlawfully shot two donkey’s with a firearm as the donkeys
walked past the driveway entrance to his residence on the morning of
April 7, 2010.

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies and Animal Control Officers responded
to the scene and collected evidence, interviewed witnesses in an
attempt to determine who had shot the two donkeys.

A 9 year old male donkey owned by Leland Presnell and a 3 year old
male donkey owned by Berl Thomas were both found to have been shot
while they were walking in the state maintained section of Presnell
Hollow Road. Both donkeys had been shot in the left hip and left
abdominal section of their body.

After they were shot the donkeys walked from the area of Johnson’s
residence to the yard of a neighbor nearby and the owners of both
donkeys were alerted that they were out of their pasture and appeared
to have been wounded.

A Veterinarian was called to the scene and after an examination it was
determined that the donkeys were dying from internal injuries as a
result of the abdominal and intestinal walls being perforated. Both
donkeys were euthanized by the attending Veterinarian and taken to the
North Carolina Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Fletcher, North
Carolina where a post mortem examination was conducted on each donkey
to determine the number of internal injuries. The projectiles shot
into both of the donkeys were recovered by Yancey County Animal
Control personnel.

The initial charges filed against Johnson were two counts of
Misdemeanor Cruelty To Animals. The case will be reviewed in it’s
entirety by the District Attorney and it is possible the charges could
be upgraded to Felony Cruelty to Animals once all of the findings and
investigation are completed and those documents including the
veterinarian reports and post mortem examination findings are
reviewed.

Johnson is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on July
30, 2010 and is prohibited from having any contact with Berl Thomas
and Leland Presnell while the case is pending in court.

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Daron Dale Caughron 24,
of 1539 Hughes Gap Road, Bakersville, North Carolina and charged him
with one count of Felonious Possession of Methamphetamine. Caughron
was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and released from the
Yancey County Detention Center in lieu of posting a $ 3,000.00 secured
bond. Caughron is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court
on July 7, 2010.

The Burnsville Police Department has arrested Brittany Anne Austin, 21 of 5 Evans Street and charged her with several drug violations. Austin was charged with Sell and Deliver of Oxycodone, Possession with intent to sell and deliver Oxycodone, and simple possession of Oxycodone. Sgt. Brandon Buchanan and patrol officers Jonathan Casteel and Brandon Mitchell assisted Lt Detective Randall Shuford in serving a search warrant of Austin's residence and serve the warrants that had been issued. Austin was released after posting bond and had a court date of 6/18/2010.

Karen Greene West

Paul Daniel Hughes

Kristin Byrd

Three Arrested In Separate Yancey County Drug Investigations

Karen Greene West 35, of 734 Micaville Loop, Micaville, North Carolina
was taken into custody by Yancey County Chief Deputy Thomas L. Farmer
and Deputy Sheriff L. Ryan Higgins and taken before Yancey County
Magistrate Bobby G. Hensley and served with arrest warrants charging
her with one count of Felonious Sell& Delivery of Methamphetamine, one
count of Felonious Possession With The Intent To Sale and Deliver
Methamphetamine and one count of Maintaining A Dwelling Place To Keep
and Sell Drugs.West was placed in the Yancey County Detention where she remains under a $ 10,000.00 secured bond.West is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on June 18, 2010.

Paul Daniel Hughes 24, of 105 Satinwood Drive, Burnsville, North
Carolina was taken into custody by Yancey County Sheriff Deputies on
Thursday June 10, 2010 and charged with one count of Felonious Sell &
Delivery of Schedule II Controlled Substances, one count of Felonious
P/W/I.M/S/D/ Schedule II Controlled Substances and one count of
Felonious Maintaining A Dwelling Place to Keep and Sale Controlled
Substances. Hughes was taken before Yancey County Magistrate Bobby G. Hensley and placed in the Yancey County Jail where he remains under a $ 10,000.00 secured bond.Yancey County Chief Deputy Thomas L. Farmer was the investigating officer in the incident. Farmer stated that Hughes was arrested after he sold and delivered Oxycodone pills from his mobile home where he is currently living. Farmer stated that Hughes has been selling and
Delivering opiate based prescription drugs from his Newdale Community
home. Farmer stated that Hughes like other Yancey County and North
Carolina residents has been traveling to pain clinics in Florida and
obtaining prescription drugs and returning to Yancey and surrounding
counties and selling them.Hughes is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on June 18, 2010.

Kristin Byrd 34, of Woodland Apartments Apt F-3, Burnsville, North
Carolina was taken into custody by Yancey County Chief Deputy Thomas
L. Farmer on Thursday June 10, 2010 and charged with one count of
Felonious Sell & Delivery of Schedule II controlled Substances, one
count of Felonious P/W/I/M/S/D/ Schedule II Controlled Substances and
one count of Felonious Maintaining A Dwelling Place TO Keep and Sell
Controlled Substances. Byrd was taken before Yancey County Magistrate Bobby G. Hensley and released from the Yancey County Jail in lieu of posting a $ 10,000.00 secured bond.Chief Deputy Farmer stated that Byrd was arrested after she sold and delivered Oxycodone medication from her residence.Byrd is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on June 18, 2010.

Peterson Arrested

The Burnsville Police Department has arrested Christopher Lee Peterson, 24 of 3 Evans Street, and charged him with several drug violations. Peterson was charged with Possession with Intent to Manufacture Sell or Deliver a Schedule II controlled substance, Maintaining a Dwelling Place for the purpose of Selling a Controlled Substance, Aid and Abet the Sell of a Schedule II controlled substance and Simple possession of a Schedule II controlled substance. Peterson was out on bond from previous trafficking charges when Sgt. Brandon Buchanan and patrol officers Jonathan Casteel and Brandon Mitchell assisted Lt Detective Randall Shuford in serving a search warrant of Peterson's residence and serve the warrants that had been issued. Peterson is in Yancey County Jail under a $15,000 secure bond and has a court date of 6/18/2010.

On 5/28/10 Officers from the Burnsville Police Department arrested Jamie Smith Deyton,10/16/79 of 149 Oak Hill Road, Burnsville and charged her with several drug violations. Deyton was charged with 2 counts of Possession with intent to Sell or Deliver a Counterfeit Controlled Substance, 2 counts of Sell or Deliver a Counterfeit Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule IV Controlled Substance, Sell or Deliver a Schedule IV Controlled Substance and Maintaining a vehicle for the purpose of Selling a Controlled Substance. Deyton had a bond set of $16,000 and has a June 8 court date.

Autrey and Briggs Arrested

On May 27, 2010 officers with the Burnsville Police Department
arrested Amy Nicole Autrey, 25 of White Oak Crossing, Bakersville NC.
According to Lt. Detective Randall Shuford Autrey was charged with
Sell and Delivery of 39 dosage units of clonazepam a Schedule IV
Controlled Substance, possession of a schedule IV controlled substance
and maintaining a vehicle to sell a controlled substance. Autrey was
taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and given a $9000.00 secured
bond and is currently out on bond. Autrey's first scheduled court date
is June 08,2010. Chief Brian Buchanan, Sergeant Brandon Buchanan and
Officer Michael Capellupo assisted Lt. Detective Shuford in the
investigation. These arrest are part of a continuing commitment of
Chief Buchanan and his department to crack down on the distribution
and illegal use of controlled substances.

On May 25th, 2010 Courtney Chanel Briggs,19, of Upper Doe Bag Road wasarrested by Lt. Detective Randall Shuford of the Burnsville Police
Department. Briggs was charged with one count of Sell and Delivery of
Oxycodone a schedule II controlled substance, possession with intent
to sell and deliver a controlled substance,maintaining a vehicle to
sell a controlled substance and simple possession of oxycodone. This
is the second run in with law enforcement for Briggs in recent weeks
as she was recently charged in Mitchell County for selling drugs to an
undercover officer there. Briggs was taken before a Yancey County
Magistrate and given a $8500.00 secured bond. Briggs was released
later that day and is out on bond. Her first scheduled court date is
on June 08, 2010.

Honeycutt Arrested

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Justin Lee
Honeycutt, 25 of Bob White Drive, Greenmountain, North Carolina and
charged him with one count of Felonious Possession Of Marijuana, one
count of Felonious Possession With Intent To Sell and Deliver
Marijuana, one count of Felonious Maintaining A Motor Vehicle To
Transport Illegal Controlled Substances, one count of Illegal
Possession of Oxycodone, one count of Illegal Possession of
Hydrocodone and one count of Possessing Drug Paraphernalia.

Yancey County Sheriff Gary Banks stated that Honeycutt was taken into
custody in the Prices Creek Community of Yancey County by Chief Deputy
Thomas Farmer, Deputy Bob Austin and Deputy Rick Turner.

Sheriff Banks stated that Chief Deputy Farmer located approximately
200 grams of marijuana that was being stored in several different
containers inside a 1999 BMW car being driven by Honeycutt. In
addition several dosage units of Oxycodone and Hydrocodone were found
hidden in an affixed container attached to a plastic water bottle that
Honeycutt was in possession of as well as a glass marijuana pipe that
was located on the person of Honeycutt by the Chief Deputy during a
search incident to arrest.

Honeycutt was taken before Yancey County Magistrate Julia C. Tipton
and placed in the Yancey County Jail where he remains under a $ 15,000.00 secured bond.Honeycutt is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on
June 8, 2010.

Millers Arrested

The Burnsville Police Department has arrested two individuals from South Carolina and charged them with several prescription drug violations. John Bernard Miller and his wife Amy Louise Miller of Spartanburg South Carolina were taken into custody by Lt. Detective Randall Shuford at CVS Pharmacy in Burnsville after receiving a tip from the Yancey County Sheriff's Office the two were possibly attempting to pass a fake prescription. Amy Miller was charged with Attempting to Obtain a Controlled Substance by Forgery or Fraud and upon further investigation it was determined that John Miller had passed two other fake prescriptions at local drugstores and he was charged with two counts of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Forgery or Fraud. Investigations continue with regard to these two individuals passing other fake prescriptions in North and South Carolina. Both individuals have a May 19 court date. Chief Brian Buchanan would like to thank the Yancey County Sheriff's Department for their assistance in this investigation.

Briggs Arrested

Courtney Chanel Briggs

A Green Mountain woman has been charged with selling Oxycodone to an undercover officer of the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Department. The buy was made in Buladean on Tuesday, May 11th, from 19-year old Courtney Chanel Briggs. The agent paid $200 for five 30 milligram Oxycodone pills. Deputies removed Briggs from her vehicle without incident. When ask if she possessed anymore drugs, Briggs removed a marijuana cigarette and a empty metal pill container from her bra. Also seized was an additional $269.00 from Briggs wallet and her car a Chevrolet Cavalier. She told Mitchell Detective Wiseman she was selling the pills for income due to the poor economy and that she had only been selling Oxycodone for a month. Briggs was charged with several drug offenses including the sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance. She made bail on an $11 thousand bond; she is to appear in court on May 21st.

McCoyle, Carver and Smith Arrested

Tonya S. McCoyle 35, of 35 Ollis Lane, Spruce Pine, North Carolina,
Marcie S. Carver 21, of 40 Eastover Drive, Asheville, North Carolina
and Jackie Dewayne Smith 34, of 17 Melton Road, Candler, North
Carolina were all taken into custody by Yancey County Sheriff Deputies
and Burnsville Police Officers and each charged with numerous drug
charges after a search warrant was executed at Room 24 Blue Ridge
Motel in Burnsville, North Carolina on Thursday May 6, 2010.

Yancey County Sheriff Gary Banks stated that a Search Warrant was
issued for Room 24 Blue Ridge Motel after Chief Deputy Thomas Farmer
confirmed that illegal drug sales were occurring at the location by
McCoyle, Carver and Smith. Sheriff Banks stated the three had been
staying at the local motel for approximately one week at the time of
their arrest.

Sheriff Banks stated that Chief Deputy Farmer requested and received
assistance in the investigation, search and arrest of the named
suspects from Burnsville Police as well as Drug Enforcement Officers
from Mitchell County Sheriff’s Department and Spruce Pine Police Department who had previously arrested Smith.

Sheriff Banks stated that several grams of methamphetamine were
located inside the room and on the person of those arrested. In
addition several items of drug paraphernalia were also seized.

McCoyle was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and charged with
one count of Sell and Delivery of Methamphetamine, one count of
Felonious Possession With Intent To Sell& Deliver Methamphetamine, one
count of Felonious Possession of Methamphetamine and one count of
Felonious Maintaining A Dwelling Place To Sell Methamphetamine.
McCoyle was placed in the Yancey County Detention Center where she
remains under a $ 12, 000.00 secured bond.

Carver was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and charged with
one count of Felonious Possession With Intent To Sell& Deliver
Methamphetamine, one count of Felonious Possession of Methamphetamine,
one count of Felonious Maintaining A Dwelling Place To Sell
Methamphetamine and one count of Possessing Drug Paraphernalia. Carver
was released from the Yancey County Jail after posting a $ 10,000.00
secured bond.

Smith was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and charged with
one count of Felonious Possession With Intent To Sell& Deliver
Methamphetamine, one count of Felonious Possession of Methamphetamine,
one count of Felonious Maintaining A Dwelling Place To Sell
Methamphetamine and one count of Possessing Drug Paraphernalia. Smith
was released from the Yancey County Jail after posting a $ 10,000.00
secured bond.

McCoyle, Carver and Smith are all scheduled to appear in Yancey County
District Court on May 19, 2010.

Sheriff Banks stated that the investigation that led to the arrest of
McCoyle, Carver and Smith was another example of hard work and
cooperation between agencies.

Verne Bret Ivers 44, a Convicted Sex Offender who moved to East
Tennessee after his release from an Illinois State Prison where he was
incarcerated from 2003 until 2006 for Sexually Abusing A Minor Child
was taken into custody at the Yancey County Jail in Burnsville, North
Carolina by United States Marshals and transported to a Federal
Detention Facility in East Tennessee where he will be held until he
appears in United States Federal Court in Greeneville, Tennessee.

Ivers has been in the custody of the Yancey County Sheriff since
February 26, 2010 and is facing charges filed against him by Yancey
County Chief Deputy Sheriff Thomas L. Farmer for the offense of
Failing To Register As A Sex Offender in Yancey County, North Carolina
s he is required by North Carolina Law.

When Ivers was taken into custody in Yancey County it was revealed
that he had been registered in Illinois and in at least two counties
in Tennessee as a Sex Offender and on two occasions he had failed to
report his accurate address as required by law.

Ivers pattern of not abiding by state and federal law resulted in him
being indicted by a Federal Grand Jury for violating the Adam Walsh
Act Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006.

Ivers could be facing a maximum sentence of 10 years in the Federal
Bureau of Prisons if he is found guilty of crossing state lines and
intentionally evading law enforcement and failing to register as a
Sexual Offender.

Yancey County Sheriff Gary Banks stated that he and his Deputies were
assisted greatly in the investigation and apprehension of Ivers by
several citizens who reside in the Fox Creek Community of Western
Yancey County and stated that convicted sex offenders who refuse to
register their address and report as required by law must be taken off
of the streets and away from our schools and children.

Riddles Charged

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested a husband and wife for
violating drug laws.

Angela Boone Riddle 31, of 7 Bridgette Lane, Burnsville, North
Carolina was taken into custody by Chief Deputy Thomas Farmer and
Deputy Mark Letterman of the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department of the
Yancey County Sheriff’s Department and charged with one count of
Felonious Sell& Delivery of Marijuana, one count of Felonious
Possession With The Intent To Sale and Deliver Marijuana, one count of
Felonious Maintaining A Dwelling Place To Keep & Sale Illegal Drugs,
one count of Possessing Marijuana and one count of Possessing Drug
Paraphernalia. Angela Riddle was taken before a Yancey County
Magistrate and released from the Yancey County Detention Center after
posting a $ 9,000.00 secured bond. Riddle is scheduled to appear in
Yancey County District Court on May 4, 2010.

Chief Deputy Thomas Farmer stated that Angela Riddle committed the
offenses while at her residence and has been a suspect in the illegal
distribution of controlled substances for several months. Farmer
stated that when he and Deputy Letterman arrived at the Riddle
residence to apprehend Angela Riddle a search of her husband Shannon
Lee Riddle 31, was conducted as he was suspected of distributing
illegal drugs as well. The search revealed that he was in possession
of Marijuana and items of Drug Paraphernalia as well. Shannon Lee
Riddle was taken into custody and charged with one count of Possessing
Marijuana and one count of Possessing Drug Paraphernalia. Shannon
Riddle was released from custody in lieu of posting a $ 1,000.00 bond
and is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on May 4,
2010.
 

Sehion Charged

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Samantha Lynn Sehion 19,
of 23 Peridot Point, Black Mountain, North Carolina and charged her
with one count of Possessing Marijuana and one count of Possessing
Drug Paraphernalia. Sehion was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate
and released from the Yancey County Detention Center in lieu of
posting a $ 500.00 bond. Sehion is scheduled to appear in Yancey
County District Court on May 4, 2010.

Corn Charged

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Dakota Allen Corn 19, of
22 A Saunooke Drive, Asheville, North Carolina and charged him with
one count of Possessing Schedule II Controlled Substances (Oxycodone)
and one count of Possessing Marijuana. Corn was taken before a Yancey
County Magistrate and released from the Yancey County Detention Center
in lieu of posting a $ 500.00 bond. Corn is scheduled to appear in
Yancey County District Court on May 4, 2010.

Strickland Arrested

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Anthony Lee Strickland
23, of Meadowood Drive, Morganton, North Carolina and charged him with
one count of Possessing Schedule II Controlled Substances (Oxycodone),
one count of Possessing Marijuana and one count of Possessing
Paraphernalia. Strickland was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate
and released from custody in lieu of posting a $ 500.00 bond.
Strickland is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on
May 4, 2010.

Caughron Arrested

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Darren Dale Caughron 24,
of 1539 Hughes Gap Road, Bakersville, North Carolina and charged him
with one count of Possessing Schedule II Controlled Substances and one
count of Possessing Drug Paraphernalia. Caughron was taken before a
Yancey County Magistrate and released from the Yancey County Detention
Center in lieu of posting a $ 500.00 bond. Caughron is scheduled to
appear in Yancey County District Court on May 4, 2010. Chief Deputy
Thomas Farmer stated that Caughron is likely facing additional charges
as an investigation into his possession and distribution of other
illegal controlled substances continues.

Cole Arrested

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Robert Adam Cole 28, of
595 John Sparks Road, Bakersville, North Carolina and charged him with
one count of Possessing Drug Paraphernalia. Cole was taken before a
Yancey County Magistrate and released from the Yancey County Detention
Center in lieu of posting a $ 500.00 bond. Chief Deputy Thomas Farmer
stated that suspected illegal controlled substances were seized from
Cole at the time of his arrest and have been submitted to the SBI
Laboratory for analysis. Farmer stated that if the submitted items are
in fact illegal, Cole will be charged with additional controlled
substance violations. Cole is scheduled to appear in Yancey County
District Court on May 4, 2010.

Duke Arrested

On Thursday April 1, 2010, Susan Silvers Duke 42, of 135 Watermelon
Way Drive, Burnsville, North Carolina was arrested by Chief Deputy
Thomas L. Farmer of the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department with the
assistance of Burnsville Police Officer Gene Higgins and charged with
one count of Felonious Sell & Delivery of A Schedule II Controlled
Substance, one count of Felonious Delivery of A Schedule II
Controlled Substance, two counts of Possessing Schedule II Controlled
Substances With The Intent to Sell and Deliver, and one count of
Felonious Maintaining A Motor Vehicle To Transport Illegal Controlled
Substances To Sale.

Duke was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and released from the
Yancey County Detention Center after posting a $ 15,000.00 secured
bond. Duke is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on
April 20. 2010.

Hyatt Arrested

Andrew Jason Hyatt 41, of Bridgette Lane, Burnsville, North Carolina
was taken into custody on Thursday April 1, 2010 by Chief Deputy
Thomas L. Farmer of the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department with the
assistance of Burnsville Police Officer Gene Higgins and charged with
one count of Felonious Sell and Deliver of Morphine, a Schedule II
Controlled Substance and one count of Possessing Schedule II
Controlled Substances With The Intent To Sale & Deliver.


Hyatt was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and released from
the Yancey County Detention center after posting a $ 6,000.00 secured
bond. Hyatt is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on
April 20, 2010.

Silver Arrested

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Dustin Lee Silver 34, of
Burnsville, North Carolina and charged him with one count of Felonious
Breaking & Entering and one count of Felonious Larceny. Sheriff Gary
Banks stated that Silvers is alleged to have entered into a barn owned
by Pierce Bingham located off of Cow Branch Road and removed a 200
Yamaha Big Bear 4X4 ATV.

Silvers was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and released from
the Yancey County Jail after posting a

$ 6,000.00 secured bond. Silvers is scheduled to appear in Yancey
County District Court on April 20, 2010.

Hensley Arrested

Sherry Annette Shook Hensley 42, of 80 Curtis Miles Road, Alexander,
North Carolina was taken into custody on March 25, 2010 in the Prices
Creek Community of Yancey County by Chief Deputy Thomas L. Farmer of
the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department and charged with one count of
Felonious Sell & Delivery of Oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled
Substance. In addition Hensley was charged with one count of Felonious
Possession With Intent To Sell and Deliver Oxycodone, one count of
Felonious Maintaining A Vehicle To Transport Illegal Drugs, two counts
of Possessing Schedule II Controlled Substances and one count of
Possessing Drug Paraphernalia. Hensley was taken before a Yancey
county Magistrate and released from the Yancey County Detention Center
after posting a

$ 10,000.00 secured bond. Hensley is scheduled to appear in Yancey
County District Court on April 20, 2010. Chief Deputy Farmer stated
that during the arrest of Hensley evidence was seized confirming that
Hensley like so many others received prescriptions for oxycodone and
other pain medications from medical clinics in the State of Florida.

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This page was last updated on Monday, 30 August 2010 04:50 PM