PRESS RELEASE – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office in coordination with the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, VA, and Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, GA arranged the arrest of wanted fugitive Eric Jason Watkins, 50 of Murphy. Watkins had outstanding indictments in Virginia for the following:

– Object Sexual Penetration (Felony)
– Aggravated Sexual Battery
– Indecent Liberties with a Child

Agents with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division and a member of the Patrol Division went to the address of Watkins. Deputies were able to take Watkins into custody without incident.

Sheriff Chris Wood stated, “If you are a criminal offender in Cherokee County, rest assured we will find you and assure you are brought to justice. It doesn’t matter whether you commit the crimes here or there, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is committed to taking offenders into custody and protecting victims.”

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.