ANDREWS NORTH CAROLINA MAN ARRESTED AFTER STAND OFF WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT

James Eugene Pratt

Murphy, NC— Shortly after noon March 23, 2012 the Cherokee County Emergency Communications Center received a call for assistance which provided information that a person had been held against her will at gunpoint. The caller further provided information that the subject at the residence was armed and had barricaded himself in the residence.

As the incident unfolded law enforcement responded to a residence on U.S. Highway 19 in Cherokee County. According to information being provided James Eugene Pratt a 50 year old Cherokee County resident was armed and had barricaded himself into the residence. Additional information was gained that Pratt had held a female in the residence at gunpoint during the night time hours of March 22, 2012.

Over the course of the next few hours the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office crisis negotiator spoke with Pratt in an attempt to resolve the matter peacefully. After the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team secured the area, Pratt eventually exited the residence and surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident.

During the incident the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was provided assistance by Cherokee Tribal Police Department’s Command Van, and manpower from the Andrews Police Department, Cherokee County Schools Company Police Department, North Carolina Highway Patrol and Cherokee Tribal Police Department.

Sheriff Lovin stated that “this was an extremely bad situation that ended with excellent results. It was a demonstration of the team effort of some very professional people during a time of crisis.”

Pratt is currently being held in the Cherokee County Detention Center for Kidnapping, Assault by Pointing a gun, and Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Pratt is currently under a $75,000.00 secure bond.

MARBLE NORTH CAROLINA MAN ARRESTED FOR RAPE

William Leonard Smith

Murphy, NC— William Leonard Smith, a 53 year old Marble North Carolina man has been arrested in connection a sexual assault which was reported in the early morning hours of Sunday March 11, 2012.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a call for assistance from a female in the Peachtree Community of Cherokee County. When Deputies of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the caller’s residence they were met by the female who detailed that she had been sexually assaulted and that the assailant was currently passed out in the residence. Upon further investigation William Smith was identified as the suspected assailant.

Smith was taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center where he was processed and placed under a $20,000.00 secure bond for Second Degree Rape. Smith is scheduled to appear in Cherokee District Court later this month.

LOCAL MAN ARRESTED FOR DOCTOR SHOPPING

Murphy, NC— The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office continues in its effort to investigate individuals who are participating in doctor shopping.  During the week of March 04^th, 2012, Asif Munshi, a 23 year old Murphy North Carolina man was arrested on 10 counts of Doctor Shopping.

ASIF MUNSHI

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division became aware that Munshi was illegally obtaining prescriptions for pain medications from multiple doctors. Following up on that information Munshi was arrested and booked in the Cherokee County Detention Center. Munshi was released upon posting a $5000.00 secure bond. Munshi is scheduled to appear in Cherokee County District Court later this month.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is aggressively pursuing individuals who are participating in doctor shopping as it has been a factor in prescription drug diversion. Prescription drug diversion is simply the deflection of prescription drugs from medical sources into the illegal market. Prescription drugs can be a lucrative business, selling on the street for as much as 10 times what they are worth retail. An 80 mg OxyContin pill, for example, costs about $6 at a pharmacy and sells for $65 to $80 on the street.20.

To report illegal activity call 828-837-1344 or you can email to crime.tips@cherokeeconty-nc.gov.

MURPHY NORTH CAROLINA MAN ARRESTED FOR MURDER

Robert Eddie Walker

Murphy, NC— Shortly after midnight on March 08, 2012 the Cherokee County Emergency Communications Center received a call for assistance at a residence in the Martins Creek Community of Cherokee County North Carolina. The nature of the call was a domestic disturbance.

When deputies of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene they found 31 year old Amy Nixon in an apparent lifeless state. Deputy Cunningham commenced CPR until he was relieved by members of the Cherokee County Emergency Services. After efforts were unsuccessful to revive Nixon, notification was made to the Cherokee County Medical Examiner who made arrangements for an autopsy to be performed as the immediate cause of death has not been determined.

Deputies from the Union County Sheriff’s Office were called in to assist with a tracking K9 to attempt to locate Robert Edward Walker, a 43 year old Murphy North Carolina man who was known to have a relationship with Nixon. Additionally, Officers of the Murphy Police Department as well as additional Deputies and Investigators with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office worked through the night and were successful in locating Walker within a couple of miles of the residence where Nixon had been residing.

Walker was charged with Murder and is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center under no bond.