Massachusetts sex offender arrested in Cherokee County

News
sex offender mug shot

Murphy, NC— Cherokee County Deputies assisted in the location and arrest of an absconded sex offender from New Hampshire.

Shane M. Funchion, 36, allegedly cut through his ankle monitor in July 2021 and fled New Hampshire. He was previously convicted in Massachusetts and registered on two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years of age in November 2019.

The United States Marshals Service Fugitive Apprehension Task Force and Cherokee law enforcement went to a Ranger Community address to try and apprehend Funchion on September 14. Once there, they took Funchion into custody and deposited him at the Cherokee County Detention Center. He’s being held without bond.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated, “The partnership that we maintain with our Federal counterparts continues to be an outstanding source to provide safety to Cherokee County and our youth.”

To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-1344 or submit a tip at [email protected].

Sex offender arrested for failing to report online identifiers

News, Press Release
online identifiers
Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the July 01, 2021 arrest of Anthony Wayne Dendy, a 44-year-old male who listed a Murphy, North Carolina address, for violations of the Sex Offender Registry.
In March 2021, Dendy reported in person to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office to register as a convicted sex offender. During the registration process, it was found that Dendy had been convicted for Assault with Intent to Commit Criminal Sexual Conduct First Degree and Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor Second Degree in Anderson County South Carolina in 1998. Due to the nature of the violations, Dendy was classified as an Aggravated Sex Offender.
During the registration process of sex offenders, they are required to report any Online Identifiers, i.e. social media accounts, email addresses, etc., to the registering Sheriff. At the time of registration, Dendy completed an affidavit indicating that he had no Online Identifiers.
In June 2021, Dendy reported in person to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office during the verification process Dendy again completed an affidavit indicating that he had no online identifiers.
Shortly after Dendy had reported he did not maintain any On-Line identifiers information was made known to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office that Dendy had at least one or two accounts on the social media site Facebook.com. After confirming the existence of the accounts warrants were obtained and Dendy was arrested at his registered residence.
Dendy is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center under a $20,000.00 secure bond and has a July 15, 2021, Cherokee County District Court date.
Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “We continually receive reports of our youth being exploited by individuals and continue to encourage our community to be an extra set of eyes and ears in our fight. We thank our concerned citizens for their support and encourage continued reporting of this and all crimes.”
To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-1344 or submit a tip at [email protected].

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Press Release: LOCAL MAN SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX CRIME

Arrest Reports, Police & Government

CHEROKEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
SHERIFF DERRICK PALMER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, December 17, 2018
For more information call 828.837.2589


LOCAL MAN SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX CRIME

Murphy, NC— On December 04th, 2018 Barry Wade Allen, of Murphy North Carolina was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of a minimum term of 17 months to a maximum term of 35 months with 427 days credit for his plea of guilty to the charge of Indecent Liberties with a Child announced Sheriff Derrick Palmer of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. The Honorable Superior Court Judge William H. Coward ordered Allen to register as a sex offender for a period of 30 years and to have no contact with the victim for a lifetime. In June of 2017 the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a report of suspected sexual assault committed by Allen. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the HAVEN Child Advocacy Center.

The case was presented to the Grand Jury which met in July 2017 who returned true bills of indictment for Statutory Sex Offense with a Child greater than 13 years of age and defendant 6 years or more older, and Indecent Liberties with a Child.

Barry, Wade ,Allen,Murphy ,North Carolina,nc,  sex offender,Cherokee ,Sheriff,Press Release,CHILD, SEX ,CRIME,HAVEN Child Advocacy Center

Barry Wade Allen

Allen fled from Cherokee County prior to the true bills being issued. The United States Marshal Fugitive Apprehension Unit assisted in locating and apprehending Allen in Louisiana during the last week of September 2017. Allen waived extradition and returned to Cherokee
County.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “These are difficult and trying cases on all concerned. This is an excellent example of how working as a team involving HAVEN Child Advocacy Center, the District Attorney’s Office and utilizing our Federal partners helped bring this case to court.”

To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-1344 or submit a tip at [email protected].

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Press Release: MAN SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX CRIME

Arrest Reports, Police & Government

CHEROKEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
SHERIFF DERRICK PALMER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, December 17, 2018
For more information call 828.837.2589


MAN SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX CRIME

Murphy, NC— On December 04th, 2018 ,Robert J Tyndell, of Murphy North Carolina was sentenced to 2 terms of imprisonment of a minimum term of 13 months to a maximum term of 25 months with 745 days credit to be applied to the second sentence for his plea of guilty to the 2 charges of Indecent Liberties with a Child announced Sheriff Derrick Palmer of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. The Honorable Superior Court Judge William H. Coward ordered Tyndell to register as a sex offender for a period of 30 years and to have no contact with the victim for a lifetime.

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Robert J Tyndell,

In July of 2016 the Macon County Department of Social Services opened an investigation and reported to the Cherokee County Department of Social Services and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office allegations that Tyndell had sexually assaulted a child under the age of 12 at a Murphy North Carolina address. The initial disclosure was in Macon County North Carolina. The joint investigation was assisted by Kids Place Child Advocacy Center in Franklin North Carolina.

The investigation was presented to the November 14th, 2016 setting of the Cherokee County Grand Jury which handed down Indictments for Statutory First Degree Sex Offense of a Child, and two counts of Indecent Liberties with a child.

Tyndell was arrested at his Murphy North Carolina residence and incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “Again we see how utilizing all our resources several agencies worked together helped to bring this case to court.”

To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-1344 or submit a tip at [email protected].

Registered Sex Offender Charged with New Child Sex Offenses

Press Release

Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the June 6th, 2018 arrest of Ricardo Gamez Dockery, a 37 year old Murphy North Carolina man for a sexual assaults on children.

On or about May 07th, 2018 a report of suspected child sexual assault was taken by a deputy with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office which involved acts reportedly committed during the month of April 2018. Pursuant to that report an investigation was undertaken.

As the investigation was conducted the services of HAVEN CAC, and contracted Department of Social Services Investigators were utilized to further the investigation. The information from HAVEN CAC, the contracted DSS Investigators along with other information gathered during the investigation was presented to the June 4th, 2018 grand jury which returned true bills of indictment for Statutory Sexual Offense with a Child by an Adult and three counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child.

Ricardo Gamez Dockery was arrested at his residence in Clay County North Carolina where he had moved once the allegations were made. Dockery was taken before the North Carolina Magistrate where he is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center on a $560,000.00 secure bond. Dockery is expected to be in Cherokee County Superior Court on July 02nd, 2018.

Ricardo Gamez Dockery is currently a registered sex offender on the North Carolina Registry. Dockery was convicted of four counts of Indecent Liberties with a Minor in January of 2008.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “We can not over stress the importance of the team concept in these terrible investigations. This further reinforces the need for continued monitoring of sex offenders.”

Due to the nature of the crime and the age of the victims no further information will be released concerning this incident.

To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-3144 or submit a tip at [email protected].

Sex Offender Arrested for Failing to Report New Address

Press Release

Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the May 31st, 2018 arrest of Michael Anthony Cantrell, a 31 year old Murphy North Carolina for violation of the sex offender registry.

During the month of May 2018 deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office were making verification checks of individuals that are currently registered on the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry and living in Cherokee County North Carolina. During the checks information became known that Michael Anthony Cantrell was no longer living at his registered address which had been in the Hiwassee Dam Community of Cherokee County. Deputies began a search and we able to locate Cantrell at a new residence in the town of Murphy. Cantrell was arrested and confined in the Cherokee County Detention Center.

Cantrell has made a $10,000.00 secure bond and is scheduled to be in Cherokee County District Court on June 12th. 2018.

Michael Cantrell was convicted in Cherokee County Superior Court in December of 2011 of two counts of Third Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (being in possession of child exploitation images or videos commonly referred to as child pornography).

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “Excellent team work in bringing Cantrell back in compliance. This is part of the reason we enlist the help of our community to help ensure these individuals maintain their responsibilities pertaining to the Sex Offender Registry.”

To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-3144 or submit a tip at [email protected].

Sex Offender Charged For Living too Close to School

Police & Government

Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced that March 15th, 2018 arrest of 37 year old Adrian Montez Austin, of Andrews North Carolina for violations of the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry.

On March 1st of this year a complaint was made with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office that Austin had established a residence the complainant felt was too close to the High School in Andrews North Carolina.

Deputies with the Patrol Division and Investigations Division worked together and were able to obtain evidence that Austin had established a residence approximately 290 feet from the Andrews High School, as well as moving from Clay County and failing to notify of his new address.

During the investigation information was discovered that indicated that Austin was involved in the illegal sale of controlled substances and had possibly involved young teen age juvenile females.

Austin was arrested at his Andrews North Carolina residence and incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center for 2 counts of Violation of the North Carolina General Statutes pertaining to the Sex Offender Registry. He is currently under a $15,000.00 secure bond and has a March 27th, 2018 court date.

Austin’s arrest was part of Operation Southern Impact II where a total of 76 people were arrested, and 13 children were rescued or identified as victims during a mutually coordinated operation between eight southeastern states. The joint, proactive event, Operation Southern Impact II, was coordinated by nine Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces in those eight states and focused on persons who possess and distribute child pornography and those who are sexually exploiting children in other ways using technology and the internet.

Sheriff Palmer stated “As you can see this is just one of the reasons that we are so diligent in our monitoring of Sex Offenders and why we have partnered with our State and Federal Partners to keep our innocents safe.”

Sheriff Palmer asks if you should have any information concerning this case or any other case to report suspicious activity and suspected violations of the law to please call 828-837-3144 or submit a tip at [email protected].

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