SECOND POT ARREST MADE BY CHEROKEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

John Laster

Macayla Laster

Ryan Turbfill

Murphy, NC— On December 16th, 2011 Jonathan Taylor Laster, a 29 year old Murphy North Carolina man, Makayla Lockaby Laster, a 26 year old woman, and Ryan Fletcher Turbyfill, a 32 year old Hiawassee Georgia man were arrested from a Murphy North Carolina residence following the discovery of a large quantity of marijuana and guns. 

On December 16th, 2011 the Cherokee County Department of Social Services requested the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office to accompany them to a residence on Driver Avenue Murphy North Carolina to check the welfare of the children in the residence. During the visit marijuana was discovered at the residence. Investigators with the Sheriff’s Office obtained a search warrant which resulted in locating a large quantity of marijuana, other controlled substances and firearms.

All three individuals are currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center on Charges stemming from the search of the residence. All three individuals are scheduled to appear in Cherokee County District Court on January 11th, 2012.

INDOOR MARIJUANA GROW BUST

 CHEROKEE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA SHERIFF’S OFFICE BUSTS INDOOR MARIJUANA GROW

   
Murphy, NC— On December 13, 2011, Clinton Brook Strand, a 41 year old man who resides in Murphy North Carolina was arrested for charges stemming from a search of his residence on Beaver Ridge Trail, Murphy North Carolina.

On December 13, 2011, investigators of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received information that Strand had been operating an indoor marijuana grow in Cherokee County North Carolina. Investigators then began conducting an investigation which culminated with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office executing a search warrant at Strand’s residence located on Beaver Ridge Trail, Murphy North Carolina.

During the execution of the search warrant officers confirmed the existence of the indoor marijuana grow in the residence. A substantial amount of growing and cultivated marijuana was seized from the residence. Additionally during the execution of the search warrant firearms were discovered and seized as well. 

Strand is currently being held on $50,000.00 secure bond in the Cherokee County Detention Facility. Strand had an initial appearance in Cherokee County District Court on December 15th, 2011. Strand is currently charged with Manufacturing a Controlled Substance, Maintaining a Dwelling for Manufacturing a Controlled Substance, Possession of Firearm By Convicted Felon, Trafficking in Marijuana, Possession with the Intent to Sell and Deliver a Controlled Substance.

Strand’s next schedule court appearance is scheduled for January 15, 2012 in Cherokee County District Court.

GOOD SAMARITAN SHOT WHILE TRYING TO INTERCEDE IN APPARENT DOMESTIC DISPUTE

Murphy, NC— The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a couple that is wanted for questioning in connection with a felony assault committed on Old U.S. 64 in Cherokee County on June 24, 2011.

At about 3:45 pm. June 24, 2011 Cherokee County Dispatch received a report from Murphy Medical Center that a person was in the Emergency Room suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Officers of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched and commenced an investigation.

Information provided by the victim indicated that previous to the arrival at Murphy Medical Center the victim observed a male and female who appeared to be engaged in a verbal and physical altercation. When the victim attempted to intercede the victim was shot.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is looking for assistance in locating a grey or silver colored sports utility vehicle possibly missing the back window. The vehicle is said to be cluttered with clothing and junk inside. The vehicle possibly has North Carolina plates.

The male occupant is described as white, in his mid 20’s approximately 5’8” tall slender build with light brown short hair possibly a military style hair cut. He possibly has a barbed wire tattoo and is wearing light blue possible stone washed blue jeans. The male occupant was armed with a small caliber hand gun.

The female occupant is described as white in her mid 20’s as well. She is slightly taller than the male. She has dirty blonde hair which comes just past her shoulders. She was last seen wearing a sundress and flip flops.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office asks if anyone should have information about the vehicle or the incident please call 828-837-2589 or 828-835-4142.

MOPED BANDIT ARRESTED FOR PEACHTREE BREAKING AND ENTERING

Samuel Henry Childers

Murphy, NC— Samuel Henry Childers, a 36 year old white male who listed a Murphy North Carolina address was arrested on June 14^th, 2011 in connection with a residential breaking and entering in the Peachtree Community of Cherokee County.

Deputy Mckinney of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office responded to a report of a breaking and entering at a Wrens Nest Lane address. Upon arriving Deputy Mckinney was able to determine the individual that committed the breaking and entering had used a moped to get to and from the crime. Utilizing the information that Deputy Mckinney provided, Investigators Malinowski and Matthews were able to locate several of the stolen items at a local and nearby precious metals dealerships. Utilizing that information Childers was identified as the individual that had sold the items within a few hours of the breaking and entering.

Childers is currently confined at the Cherokee County Detention Facility and has a July 2011 court date.

COUPLE CHARGED IN VEHICLE BREAKING AND ENTERINGS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth Brown

Murphy, NC— Elizabeth Brown age, 23, of Gaffeny, SC and Derris Michael Green, age 28, of Spartanburg, SC have been identified and arrested in connection with the break in of two service vehicles parked at Freeman Gas Co in January of 2011. 

At the time, tools, copper tubing and brass fittings were taken with an estimated value of $5850.58.  Brown and Green were immediately identified when they attempted to sell some of the stolen merchandise at a local scrap dealer.  Both persons were staying with relatives in Andrews at the time of the crimes.  Both were arrested in Spartanburg SC on Cherokee County charges as well as SC charges. 

Brown was extradited to NC on 6/17/2011 and is held at Cherokee County Detention Facility under $10,000.00 bond.  Green is currently housed in Spartanburg under local charges there, and when those charges are cleared up, he will be extradited to NC. 

Both are identically charged with 2 cts of B&E of a Motor Vehicle, 2 cts. Of Felony Larceny, and Obtaining Property by False Pretense.

CHEROKEE COUNTY TRIO CHARGED IN RESIDENTIAL BREAKING & ENTERINGS

Dennis Dockery

Heather Dockery

Rickey Gilbert

 

  

Murphy, NC— Dennis Devin Dockery, age 17, who listed a Murphy North Carolina address, Richard M. Gilbert Jr., age 22, homeless and Heather Ann Dockery, age 30, also homeless, but both natives of Cherokee County have been arrested for  a series of crimes. 

Gilbert and Heather Dockery were arrested on June 13, 2011 and are currently confined to the Cherokee County Detention Facility.  They are charged with:

B&E and Larceny after B&E of a residence on Sing Branch Road on June 11  (Gilbert and Dockery), Felony Larceny of a scooter on Martins Creek Rd on May 26 (Gilbert and Dockery),

B&E and Injury to Real Property of a residence on Hwy 19/129 on May 29 (Gilbert, Dockery, and a yet to be arrested 3^rd party.), Two counts of larceny of tools at a residence under construction on Martins Creek Rd on May 22 and May 23 (Gilbert), B&E and Injury to Real Property of a residence on Canyon Road on October 5, 2010. (Gilbert and Dockery).

Devin Dockery was arrested on June 19^th, 2011 and is currently confined in the Cherokee County Detention Facility. He is charged with:

Misdemeanor Breaking and Entering and Injury to Real Property.

Gilbert and Dockery were both arrested at a Murphy area motel on the morning of June 13 in connection with the Sing Branch Road break-in. Investigators Randy Cook and Jake Chapman pursued leads which lead to solving several breaking and enterings in the Martins’ Creek, Marble, and Joe Brown communities of Cherokee County.

All three individuals have scheduled court dates in July 2011.