PRESS RELEASE – On Friday 3/27/2026, Sheriff Chris Wood and Sergeant Daniel Tucker from Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, had the opportunity to join the amazing students at Ranger Elementary School for their career fair. Numerous law enforcement and first responders were represented at the event, along with many other professions that help make this county […]

PRESS RELEASE – An arrest has been made following a months-long investigation into a series of intentionally set fires in the Martins Creek Community. On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, investigators with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Murphy Police Department, the North Carolina Forest Service, and the Georgia Forest Service arrested Kevin James Roper, 48 of […]

CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. — A man was arrested after deputies executing a search warrant discovered him hiding inside a chimney and seized suspected methamphetamine at a residence in the Murphy community, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities said members of the sheriff’s office Narcotics Division and Criminal Investigations Division executed a search warrant […]

CHEROKEE COUNTY, NC – Authorities are searching for a Cherokee County man after investigators say they seized a large quantity of methamphetamine during a search connected to an ongoing drug trafficking investigation. According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the agency’s Narcotics Division and Criminal Investigations Division, along with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, executed […]

CHEROKEE COUNTY, NC – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of an unidentified person whose body was discovered late Tuesday night in the Hiwassee Dam community. According to a news release issued Feb. 26, deputies responded to Cross Creek Lane on the night of Feb. 25 after the individual was located. Authorities […]

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 […]

MURPHY, N.C. — Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith has announced his resignation effective Friday, following a request from District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch citing a loss of confidence in his leadership. Cherokee County officials received Smith’s formal resignation Thursday afternoon. The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners has scheduled a special meeting Saturday at 4 p.m. […]

PRESS RELEASE – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division, with assistance from the Criminal Investigations Division, executed a search warrant on January 20, 2026, at a residence located at 244 West Saw Mill Road in Murphy. The search warrant was the culmination of a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking activities within Cherokee County. As […]

PRESS RELEASE – We are thrilled to announce and welcome Emily Sneed as the new Principal of Hiwassee Dam Middle School! Superintendent Dr. Keevin Woody and the Cherokee County Board of Education are excited to have Emily join our team and lead Hiwassee Dam Middle School into an exciting new chapter. **Career Overview** Emily Sneed […]

PRESS RELEASE – On December 1, 2025 Deputies with Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office assisted by Officers from Andrews Police Department responded to 115 LJ Moss Ln in the Marble community. Deputies were attempting to serve a warrant for Felony Larceny on Levi Charles Moss. Upon arrival, deputies made multiple attempts to get Moss to exit […]

CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. – A Cherokee County man was taken into custody on October 31, 2025, after authorities say he led a Narcotics Agent on a vehicle pursuit that ended in a collision in the parking lot of the Old Martins Creek School. According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began when the […]

CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. — A two-month investigation into fentanyl trafficking in Cherokee County has led to the arrest of Ashli Shawnai Roberts, of Murphy, following a coordinated operation between North Carolina and Georgia law enforcement agencies. According to Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith, the investigation concluded on October 16, 2025, when authorities received information that […]

Cherokee County Schools Finance Director Resigns as District Continues Superintendent Search Murphy, N.C. — Leadership changes are on the horizon for Cherokee County Schools, as officials confirmed that the district’s finance director will step down in October while the search for a new superintendent remains underway. The school board announced this week that the finance […]