SEX OFFENDER CHARGED WITH BEING ON DAY CARE PROPERTY

Rafael Federico Rodriguez

Murphy, NC— Rafael Federico Rodriguez, a 60-year-old registered sex offender was arrested following an investigation into allegations that he had been on properties of licensed day care centers in the Murphy Area. Such action is prohibited by the North Carolina Sex Offender and Public Protection Registration Programs.

After receiving information the Rodriguez had been on the grounds of two local day care centers, a brief investigation was conducted by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. During the investigation information was received that Rodriguez had been to the day care centers numerous times during the period of June 04th 2012 and June 20th, 2012. On or about June 20th, 2012 Rodriguez was found at a Murphy North Carolina day care center. Rodriguez was taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center and was placed under a $40,000.00 secure bond. He is scheduled for a court appearance in District Court in July.

Court records show Rodriguez was convicted in September of 2002 for 3 counts of Indecent Liberties with a Minor Child. Prior to the arrest of Rodriguez on this particular violation information provided showed that Rodriguez had two previous registration violations.

The North Carolina Sex Offender and Public Protection Registration Program requires sex offenders who have been convicted of certain offenses to register with their county sheriff. The sheriff collects information from the offender and court documents. The sheriff then enters the information into the Registry database. This information is available on a county wide basis at the sheriff’s office. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation takes certain information submitted by the sheriffs in all 100 counties in the state and makes it available to the public via the Sex Offender Registry website.

MURPHY MAN ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES

Johnny Jones

           Johnny Jones, a 46 year old Murphy North Carolina man was arrested on charges of trafficking in opiates. The charges were handed down from the Grand Jury which met June 04, 2012.

            Investigators with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation into individuals that were selling opiates at various locations in Cherokee County. During that investigations information was discovered that Jones was selling opiates. During the course of the investigation Jones reportedly sold trafficking levels of opiates in a school zone.

Johnny Jones is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center on a $200,000.00 secure bond. Jones is scheduled to appear in Cherokee County Superior Court August 27, 2012.

GRAND JURY BRINGS ADDITIONAL CHARGES

John Joseph Watts

           John Joseph Watts, a 67 year old Murphy North Carolina man, was arrested on charges of sex acts against minors which were handed down from the Grand Jury which met June 04, 2012.

Investigators became aware of allegations involving John Watts from a complaint that was filed on Thursday January 05^th, 2012 with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division. Working in conjunction with the H.A.V.E.N. Child Advocacy Center in Cherokee County North Carolina, Investigators Holland and Chapman were able to determine that there were at least two victims involved making allegations against Watts.

As the investigation progressed enough information was gathered to enable the Investigators to present the case to the North Carolina Magistrates Office and obtain warrants for the arrest of Watts. From information presented during the investigation it appeared that the sexual abuse had been ongoing for a period of about one year.

Upon hearing information presented to the Grand Jury additional charges were brought against Watts. The charges included First Degree Sex Offense, Statutory Sexual Offense.

John Joseph Watts is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center on a $200,000.00 secure bond. Watts is scheduled to appear in Cherokee County Superior Court August 27, 2012.

MURPHY MAN BACK IN JAIL ON SEX CHARGES

Elvis Raul Flores

         

            Elvis Raul Flores, a 41 year old Murphy North Carolina man, was arrested on charges of sex acts against minors which were handed down from the Grand Jury which met June 04, 2012.

Upon hearing information presented to the Grand Jury additional charges were brought against Flores. The charges included First Degree Sex Offense, Statutory Sexual Offense, Sexual Offense by Person in Parental Role.

Elvis Raul Flores is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center on a $200,000.00 secure bond. Watts is scheduled to appear in Cherokee County Superior Court August 27, 2012.

MURPHY MAN ARRESTED ON FOR INDECENT LIBERTIES WITH A MINOR

Jim Stephens

          Jim Donald Stephens, a 41 year old Murphy North Carolina man was arrested on charges of engaging in indecent sex acts with a minor. The charges were handed down from the Grand Jury which met June 04, 2012.

            Jim Donald Stephens is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center on a $15,000.00 secure bond. Stephens is scheduled to appear in Cherokee County Superior Court August 27, 2012.

ADDITIONAL CHARGES CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES FOR MURPHY MAN

Scot Earl Bull

          Scot Earl Bull, a 38-year-old Murphy North Carolina man, was arrested on additional charges of downloading, duplicating and possessing child pornography. The charges were handed down from the Grand Jury which met June 04, 2012.

Bull was arrested at his home in Murphy, North Carolina after the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office became aware that child pornographic images were being downloaded and distributed from a computer linked to the residence. A forensic search of computers at the residence confirmed that child pornography was present on and being shared from a computer at Bull’s residence.

Scot Earl Bull is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center on a $200,000.00 secure bond. Bull is scheduled to appear in Cherokee County Superior Court August 27, 2012.