Ex Detention Officer and Inmate Charged
Press Release June 15, 2018Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the June 7th, 2018 arrest of 48 year old Kathy Carlene Leitner, and 42 year old Barry Wade Allen, both of Murphy North Carolina on charges involving the possession of a mobile phone in a detention facility.
On or about April 24th, 2018 the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation into allegations that previous Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Detention Officer Kathy Leitner had brought a mobile phone into the Detention Facility and had given it to incarcerated inmate Barry Wade Allen.
During the investigation information became known that Leitner and Allen had become involved in an inappropriate relationship which included several voice calls and letters exchanged between the two. Sometime during the months of January to April 2018 Leitner brought a mobile phone into the detention facility and gave it to Allen. Additionally, information became known that Leitner had conveyed a message to Allen from another inmate in which Allen was to harm a third inmate. At the time of the allegations Allen is charged with Child Sexual assaults. This information was presented to the June 4th. 2018 Grand Jury who handed down indictments on both Leitner and Allen. Kathy Leitner was arrested on June 7, 2018 and taken before the North Carolina Magistrate who set a $15,000.00 secure bond. She is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center. Barry Wade Allen, is currently in the Macon County Detention Center was served on July 07th, 2018 and given additional bond. Both Allen and Leitner were also given conditions of bond to have no contact with each other until after the matter is settled in court. Both are expected to be in Cherokee County Superior Court on July 02nd, 2018.
Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “This conduct can never be tolerated and will not be. We strive to maintain high standards of professionalism.”
To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-3144 or submit a tip at [email protected].
Murphy Man Charged with Indecent Liberties with a Child
Press Release June 15, 2018
Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the June 5th, 2018 arrest of Dawson Michael Burris, a 18 year old Murphy North Carolina man for a sexual assault on a child.
On or about May 13th, 2018 the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation into a reported child sexual assault which happened in the Marble Community of Cherokee County. During the investigation assistance was provided by the HAVEN Child Advocacy Center. As the investigation progressed information was gained which was presented to the June 4th, 2018 Cherokee County Grand Jury which returned a true bill of indictment against Burris for an Indecent Liberty with a Child.
Dawson Michael Burris was arrested at his residence without incident and taken before the North Carolina Magistrate where he was given a $50,000.00 secure bond. Burris is expected to be in Cherokee County Superior Court on July 02nd, 2018.
Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “Great team work by our Patrol Deputies, our Investigators and HAVEN. It is this kind of team work that allows us to be successful in these most difficult of crimes.”
Due to the nature of the crime and the age of the victim 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 Charged For Living too Close to School
Police & Government March 21, 2018
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].
Georgia Woman Charged with Child Abuse
Press Release June 13, 2018
Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the June 5th, 2018 arrest of Elisha Keri Lowman, a 28 year old Ellijay Georgia woman for possession of methamphetamine and child abuse.
On June 5th, 2018 a Deputy with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office observed Lowman operating a vehicle in which she committed a traffic violation. While the Deputy was investigating the traffic violation he observed in plain view an article of paraphernalia. A second Deputy arrived on scene and found a container that had a small amount of methamphetamine. Lowman was arrested for the possession of the illegal substance.
During the traffic stop the deputies found three small children in the car along with a pit bull. A Cherokee County Department of Social Services worker came to the scene and arranged for the children to go home with a relative at the request of Lowman. The pit bull was brought to the Sheriff’s Office where it was kept until another relative of Lowman could come get it.
Lowman was taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center where she was taken before the North Carolina Magistrate set a $5,000.00 bond. Lowman is currently incarcerated awaiting either bond or a June 12th, 2018 District Court date.
Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “Good work by the deputies both with getting the drugs off the street and making it safe for the children. We also thank the Cherokee County Department of Social Services for their assistance in the matter.”
To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-3144 or submit a tip at [email protected].