Traffic stop leads to drug arrest of Murphy man

News

Murphy, NC— After executing a traffic stop, Cherokee County Deputies arrested the driver for possession of methamphetamine and cocaine on September 4.

Officers noticed a vehicle operating without rear lights on US Hwy 64 near Murphy’s city limits. They pulled the car over and the driver attempted to run away. Deputies searched Steven Brendle, 22, and discovered a trafficking amount of methamphetamine and cocaine.

Brendle was arrested and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession with the intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver methamphetamine, as well as resisting Public Officer.

Brendle has made a $50,000 secure bond and has a September 15, 2021, Cherokee County District Court Date.

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

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

Massachusetts sex offender arrested in Cherokee County

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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].

Fannin County man arrested for drug trafficking in North Carolina

News, Press Release

Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the May 18, 2021 arrest of 29-year-old Cecil Jessy Cable, of Fannin County Georgia for charges stemming for violations of the North Carolina Controlled Substances statutes.

On May 18, 2021 Detectives with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on vehicle occupied by Cable. During the traffic stop the detectives developed probable cause and conducted a search of the vehicle operated by Cable. During the search of the vehicle a trafficking amount of methamphetamine was seized.

Cable was arrested and is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center under a $215,000.00 secure bond for Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver Controlled substances. Cable was also arrested for two Failure To Appear charges from a previous arrest. Cable has made his initial appearance in Cherokee County District Court.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “We continue our struggle in fighting the drugs that are coming into Cherokee County. Each arrest helps in that fight as well as information provided from our community.”

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

Murphy man arrested for sexual assault of a minor

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sexual assault minor

Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the arrest of 29-year-old Charles Anthony (CJ) Payne, of Murphy, North Carolina on sexual assault charges against a minor child.

In September 2020, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into a missing juvenile female. During the investigation Charles Anthony (CJ) Payne became a person of interest in the investigation and was subsequently arrested for Felonious Restraint. Payne later made a secure bond.

As the investigation continued, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Investigators were able to obtain sufficient evidence to present the case to the Cherokee County Grand Jury on March 08, 2021, who handed down a two-count indictment on Payne.

On March 10, 2021, deputies from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office arrested Payne at his residence after a brief struggle.

Payne is currently confined at the Cherokee County Detention Center and charged with statutory rape of a child greater than six years older, and statutory sex offense of a child by an adult greater than six years older. The North Carolina Magistrate set a $1,000,000.00 secure bond and Payne is scheduled to appear in Cherokee County Superior Court on May 3, 2021.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated, “Due to the age of the victim and nature of the crimes we will not be making any further press releases in this case.”

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

Three arrested in methamphetamine distribution conspiracy

News, Press Release
methamphetamine
Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the February 26, 2021 arrest of 53-year-old Terry Leon Simmons of Andrews, North Carolina, 43-year-old Tina Jane Hill of Marble, North Carolina, and 39-year-old Keith Ryan Noles also of Marble, North Carolina for conspiring to possess crystal methamphetamine.
In October 2020, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search in Marble, North Carolina, the residence of Hill and Noles. In the search, a trafficking amount of methamphetamine and several firearms were seized. From that search Hill and Noles were charged for trafficking in methamphetamine and felon in possession of a firearm. Hill and Noles subsequently were released on secure bonds.
During the last week of February 2021, with the assistance of agents with the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, North Carolina ALE, and Detectives of the Macon County Sheriff’s Office a joint investigation resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of crystal methamphetamine and additional firearms and other suspected illegally possessed controlled substances destined for Cherokee County, North Carolina.
Keith Ryan Noles, and Tina Jane Hill were arrested and are currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center for Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine in excess of 400 grams. Both are under a $300,000.00 secure bond.
Terry Leon Simmons was arrested and is also charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine in excess of 400 grams. Simmons at the time of arrest had an additional amount of methamphetamine and paraphernalia on his person. Simmons is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center under a $350,000.00 secure bond.
Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “This has been a total team effort by our office working in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. This is a large seizure and as we continue our investigation we anticipate additional arrests in the future. Further, as you can see these individuals continue their criminal activities even after the arrest. We appreciate and are glad for the cooperation of our federal, state, and local partners in these endeavors.”
To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-1344 or submit a tip at [email protected].

Armed Methamphetamine Trafficker Is Sentenced To 15 Years In Prison

News, Press Release
Armed Methamphetamine Trafficking
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray announced that Christopher Price, 43, of Turtletown, Tennessee, was sentenced to 180 months in prison on drug trafficking and firearms offenses. U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr. also ordered Price to serve five years under court supervision upon completion of his prison term.
According to filed court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, in September 2018, law enforcement in Cherokee County became aware that Price was trafficking methamphetamine. On September 11, 2018, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of Price’s vehicle, during which they seized methamphetamine and a loaded firearm. Court records show that, on September 14, 2018, law enforcement conducted a second traffic stop of Price, who had been released on bond on State charges, during which they seized additional methamphetamine. Then, on January 16, 2019, law enforcement were dispatched to a residence in Murphy to check on a suspicious parked vehicle. When law enforcement located the vehicle, they observed Price, who had been released again on bond on State charges, asleep at the wheel with a shotgun on his lap. Law enforcement arrested Price and seized the shotgun, which was loaded, a second loaded firearm, and methamphetamine that they located in the vehicle. Court records show that, over the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized from Price more than 17 ounces of highly pure methamphetamine and three loaded firearms.
On July 24, 2020, Price pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
In making today’s announcement U.S. Attorney Murray thanked the DEA, the ATF, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Swain County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cherokee Indian Police Department for their coordination and assistance throughout the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Kent, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville, prosecuted the case.

Murphy man arrested for sexual assault of a minor

News, Press Release
sexual assault
Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the October 1, 2020 arrest of 39-year-old Robin Farmer Stalcup, of Murphy, North Carolina on charges of sexual assault a minor child.
In June 2020 a complaint was made with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office of an allegation of a sexual assault of a minor child. Pursuant to this allegation, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation which identified Stalcup as suspect in the case. As the case was being investigated assistance was provided by HAVEN Child Advocacy Center.
The case was presented to the Cherokee County Grand Jury on 9/28/2020 and a true bill of indictment for the arrest of Stalcup was issued.
Stalcup surrendered himself to the Cherokee County Detention Center and the indictment for Indecent Liberties with a Child was served on him. The North Carolina Magistrate set a $5,000.00 unsecured bond and Stalcup was released. Stalcup is to be in Cherokee County Superior Court on December 14, 2020.
Stalcup was served with 2012 misdemeanor warrants for Breaking and Entering and Assault and Battery and bond was set at $1,000.00 unsecured. The court date on the misdemeanor charges is set for October 15, 2020.
Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated, “Due to the age of the victim and nature of the crime we will not be making any further press releases in this case.”
To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-1344 or submit a tip at [email protected].

Marble man arrested for sexual assault of minor

News, Press Release
marble sexual assault minor
Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the September 28, 2020 arrest of 46-year-old Robert Eugene Barnhill, of Marble, North Carolina for charges of sexually assaulting a minor child.
In May 2020 a complaint was made with the Cherokee County Department of Social Services and then to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office of an allegation of sexual assault involving a minor child. Pursuant to this allegation, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation which identified Barnhill as a suspect in the case.
As the case was being investigated assistance was provided by HAVEN Child Advocacy Center, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cherokee County Department of Social Services.
During the investigation, several electronic devices and other items of physical evidence were collected for examination. Additionally, numerous interviews were completed.
The case was presented to the Cherokee County Grand Jury on 9/28/2020 and true bills of indictment for the arrest of Barnhill were issued. Barnhill was arrested at his Marble, North Carolina residence where he briefly resisted arrest by the officers.
Barnhill is currently confined at the Cherokee County Detention Center and charged with SECOND DEGREE RAPE, SECOND DEGREE FORCIBLE SEX OFFENSE, INDECENT LIBERTIES WITH CHILD, FELONY INCEST, and POSSESS METHAMPHETAMINE. The North Carolina Magistrate set a $250,000.00 secure bond on the sexual assault charges and $5000.00 secure on the Controlled Substance charge. Barnhill is scheduled to appear in Cherokee County Superior Court on 12/14/2020.
Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “This has been a total team effort and we appreciate the assistance in bringing this case to some closure. Due to the age of the victim and nature of the crimes, we will not be making any further press releases in this case.”
To report suspicious activity and suspect violations, including sexual assault of a minor, of the law please call 828-837-1344 or submit a tip at [email protected].

Andrews man arrested for child sexual assault

News, Press Release
sexual assault child
Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the September 24, 2020 arrest of 39-year-old Benito Morales Mendez, of Andrews North Carolina for sexual assault of a child.
In January 2020 a complaint was made with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office of an allegation of sexual assault involving a minor child. Pursuant to this allegation, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation which identified Mendez as suspect in the case.
As the case was being investigated assistance was provided by HAVEN Child Advocacy Center, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee County Department of Social Services, and Cherokee County Schools. These agencies provided assistance in collecting statements from the victim and witnesses.
During the investigation, several electronic devices and other items of physical evidence were collected for examination.
As the investigation continued an additional allegation of Violation of a Domestic Violence Protective Order was made against Mendez and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Additionally, an arrest warrant was issued for Mendez’s arrest for the allegations involving the sexual assault of the child.
When Detectives attempted to arrest Mendez information was made known that he had fled from North Carolina. Further, information was made to know that Mendez was not a legal citizen of the United States.
Assistance was requested from the United States Marshal Service Fugitive Apprehension Task Force, and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations who assisted in locating Mendez several months later in Texas where he had fled. Mendez refused to waive extradition and a Governor’s warrant was issued and Mendez was brought back to Cherokee County where the North Carolina warrants were served on him.
Benito Mendez is currently charged with STATUTORY RAPE OF A CHILD BY ADULT and VIOLATE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTION ORDER. Mendez was taken before the North Carolina Magistrate who set a $500,000.00 secure bond. Additionally, Mendez has an ICE Detainer which has no bond. Mendez is expected in Cherokee County
District Court October 1, 2020, for his first appearance.
Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “As you can see it takes a team effort and one of the reasons we work so closely with our local and federal partners. Due to the age of the victim, we will not be making any further press releases.”
To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-1344 or submit a tip at [email protected].

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