A Newton man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with an attack against a fellow psychiatric patient at Catawba Valley Medica. The Catawba County Sheriffs Office is asking for the publics help in finding a suspect in the armed robbery of a convenience store in Newton. CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. Police have arrested the Catawba County Register of Deeds for embezzlement, Channel 9 learned on Tuesday. Wiseman has denied prosecutors accusations and has alleged $25,000 in damages caused by Buncombe. Two firearms were also seized during the operation. Donna Spencer Detectives said Donna Spencer stole more than $100,000 from the county. CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. Catawba County Register of Deeds Donna Hicks Spencer is facing an embezzlement charge following a grand jury indictment, according to the State Bureau of Investigation.An SBI spokesperson confirmed Spencer was indicted Monday on charges of one count of embezzlement by a local or charitable officer, two counts of obtaining property by false pretenses and one count of the register of deeds failing to discharge duty. Twelve people, including two Catawba County residents, were indicted by a Lincoln County grand jury on drug charges in May. Nine more suspects were arrested on state. Donna Hicks Spencer turned herself in on a Tuesday morning in Dec. 2021 to the Catawba County jail. A phone number listed for himappears to be disconnected. Neither immediately responded to a request for comment Friday. It includes the cities of Hickory and Newton, and has a population of about 158,000, according to census data. Some of the defendants in this investigation are validated gang members," police say. During the operation officers seized methamphetamine, heroin, opioids and marijuana, according to a press release from the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office. In Buncombe County, Wiseman's company was awardedat least $2.5 million in county contracts over a roughly four-year period, the first of which was signed less than a month after it was registered by Wisemanin 2014. (Watch the video below: Teachers, other school staff in Catawba County to get bonuses), Teachers, other school staff in Catawba County to get bonuses. Former Catawba County Sheriff's captain indicted on several charges His signature is not seen on Petra's contracts with the county. Catawba County is about an hour and 15 minutes east of Asheville. "The recordsspeak for themselves, and there isn'tanything else I can add," Bechtel said Friday. She was also charged with maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Reid is the son of current Catawba CountySheriff Coy Reid and unsuccessfully ran for the job himself this spring. "This entire situation is a political attack," Reid said before the election. Investigators said the stalking allegations involved Reid allegedly placing a tracking device on his ex-girlfriend's car and then sending her several text messages of places she had traveled. He is charged. According to the court documents, Spencer is accused of embezzling more than $100,000 from Catawba County. Joseph William Clippard, 47, of Laboratory Road in Lincolnton was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Michael Welborn, 47, of Kings Mountain was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia. Fred Christian Smith, 44, of Iron Station is charged with two felony counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine and sell and delivery of methamphetamine. Please subscribe to keep reading. Two of the 22 people indicted are still being sought. Two of the 22 people indicted are still being sought. Man with long criminal record served with financial crime charges in Rowan Co. PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video. Joseph Lee Waters, 39, of Dallas was charged with possession of LSD and possession of a firearm by a felon. Catawba County Register of Deeds Donna Hicks Spencer is facing an embezzlement charge following a grand jury indictment, according to the State Bureau of Investigation.An SBI spokesperson confirmed Spencer was indicted Monday on charges of one count of embezzlement by a local or charitable officer, two counts of obtaining property by false pretenses and one count of the register of deeds failing to discharge duty.https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/catawba-county-register-of-deeds-indicted-for-embezzlement/275-27138ea9-b41f-4e56-b537-32b40f0e0b19 Former Catawba County utilities director sentenced for bribery conviction Barry Edwards, 66, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison after being found guilty of accepting bribes from 2012 . Buncombe County wants records from ex-contractor Joe Wiseman. HICKORY - A Catawba County round-up culminated Tuesday with the arrest of 19 suspects in the greater Hickory area on federal drug and gun charges. Campaign finance records report that in 2008, Wiseman donated $1,000 to candidate Kitty Barnes. The cases of the 15-year-old and 17-year-old suspects will remain in juvenile court, unless either of them is indicted by the Catawba County Grand Jury, District Attorney Scott Reilly said in. Those arrested were placed in the Catawba County Detention Center. The three reportedly worked with others to distribute largeamounts of cocaine and crack cocaine. All rights reserved. A 16-month undercover operation by the narcotics division of the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office led to indictments on 21 people, including two with ties to Catawba County. Green was released the same dayon a $75,000 secured bond and ordered to have no contact with the juvenile. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Copyright 2018 WBTV. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, By Mackenzie Wicker The charges come following an investigation after an ex-girlfriend claimed he had stalked her. She said Catawba has no active contracts with Wiseman but declined to say whether the county has found any improper relationships between any officials and Wiseman. Documents obtained by the Citizen Times through a public records request show that beginning in mid-2015, Catawba government agreed to paynearly $290,000 through 11 contracts toEnvironmental Infrastructure Consulting, a limited liability company owned by Georgia-based engineer Joe Wiseman. . Detectives said Donna Spencer stole more than $100,000 from the county. Wanda Greene's plea deal was accepted. He sat as a District Court judge, overseeing the 25th Judicial District Catawba, Burkeand Caldwell counties from 1984-86. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - The Catawba County Register of Deed was expected to appear in court Tuesday on charges of embezzlement as an elected official. pic.twitter.com/akfBHeKolJ. CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. A Catawba County high school teacher and coach is accused of sex offenses with a 15-year-old student. For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app. Catawba also worked with Petra Engineering, a Huntersville-based firm that was identified by prosecutors as another previously employer of Wiseman. You have permission to edit this article. Instead, county attorney Debra Bechtel responded. David Nixon, Jr. 58, of McClain Train in Lincolnton was charged with sell and deliver crack cocaine. 62 years as a barber in Hickory: Clemons shares advice he received, love of pintos and cabbage, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Granite Falls driver headed to NHRA Gatornationals, Catawba County Sheriff's Office seeks suspect in robbery of Newton convenience store, Startown Elementary, Maiden Middle win state archery titles, Thursday's area basketball playoff scores (2nd round), Fifth teen now charged as an adult in fatal shooting at Blue Ridge Heights, Hickory man sentenced to 50 years on child pornography charges, Lenoir man convicted on drug trafficking charges, Toilet paper identified as major 'forever chemical ' polluter in wastewater, TikTok influencer with 3.9 million followers weighs in on US government ban, Jury visits crime scene in Murdaugh murder trial, Wave of poison attacks on schoolgirls across Iran is raising alarms. Download the WSOCTV news app for your smartphone and get updates on this developing story as they come in. Damario Leshaun Rousseau will be tried as an adult in the shooting death of 35-year-old Shonniel Blackburn in Hickory. She was indicted by a Catawba County grand jury on one count of embezzlement by a local or charitable officer, two counts of obtaining property by false pretenses and one count of register of deeds failing to discharge duty. The indictment indicates that Reid obtained the GPS tracker from the Catawba County Sheriff's Office for the purpose of tracking his ex-girlfriend. She's remained in her elected position since December 2004. On Monday, December 6th, a Catawba County grand jury indicted Spencer on one count of embezzlement by a local or charitable officer, two counts of obtaining property by false pretenses, and one county of register of deeds failing to discharge duty. He wants $25,000. You have permission to edit this article. Jason Todd Mullen, 34, of Maiden was indicted on charges of possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a felon. CATAWBA CO., N.C. Police say Catawba County Register of Deeds Donna Hicks Spencer was arrested for embezzlement on Tuesday. After being indicted July 8, Greenfaces formal charges of felony statutory sexual offense with a child 15-years-old or younger, felony disseminating obscene material to a minor under 16, misdemeanor giving spirituous liquor to a person under 21 and misdemeanor contributing to the to the delinquency of a juvenile. Green, who now operates a private practice in Hickory, served as a N.C. Superior Court judge for sevenmonths in 2002, according to hiswebsite. But her request to speak with relatives was denied. The indictments claim she fraudulently reported overtime and comp time hours while she was not working. Buncombe County wants records from ex-contractor Joe Wiseman. Creighton and Stone, who succeeded Greene as county manager before abruptly retiring in June 2017, each have since pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge. and Tate Blvd. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Read more top trending stories onwsoctv.com: 2023 Cox Media Group. Christie Wiseman, who reported that shelives at the same Roswell, Georgia, address as JoeWiseman, donated $1,000 in 2012 to Barbara Beatty's campaign. Former Catawba County Sheriff's captain appears in court on several charges Former Catawba County Sheriff's captain appears in court on several charges. Shes locked up in the jail under a 9900 dollar bond. He remains under target or subject status by federal investigators, according to civil court records filed by his attorney, meaning a grand jury or prosecutors either have substantial evidence linking him to a crime or his conduct is within the scope of the grand jury's investigation. 62 years as a barber in Hickory: Clemons shares advice he received, love of pintos and cabbage, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Granite Falls driver headed to NHRA Gatornationals, Catawba County Sheriff's Office seeks suspect in robbery of Newton convenience store, Startown Elementary, Maiden Middle win state archery titles, Thursday's area basketball playoff scores (2nd round), Fifth teen now charged as an adult in fatal shooting at Blue Ridge Heights, Toilet paper identified as major 'forever chemical ' polluter in wastewater, Jury visits crime scene in Murdaugh murder trial, Wave of poison attacks on schoolgirls across Iran is raising alarms, Bakhmut battle intensifies as Russia bears down on Ukrainian city. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Edwards said in a federal courtroom Wednesday morning that its criminal investigation into Buncombe County government continues. Both still are on Catawba'sBoard of Commissioners, with Beatty serving as vice chair. You have permission to edit this article. Naeem Ali Mungro, Gevon Marquise King and Jaron Monte Cornwell headed the organization, according to police. Police say additional charges are expected. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. - A former captain with the Catawba County Sheriff's Office is facing multiple criminal charges after being indicted following a months-long state investigation. A Lenoir man was found guilty on drug trafficking and firearms charges during U.S. District Court in Statesville on Thursday. A Newton man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with an attack against a fellow psychiatric patient at Catawba Valley Medica. [Reid defeated in Catawba County sheriff's race amid stalking allegations]. Constitutional carry bill aims to eliminate handgun permits, Medic: Teen dead, driver seriously injured in crash on I-485 in west Charlotte. Police: 2 charged with child's fentanyl-induced death in Catawba County On April 22, Long View police said they had two women in custody for the toddler's death. Constitutional carry bill aims to eliminate handgun permits, Medic: Teen dead, driver seriously injured in crash on I-485 in west Charlotte. Prosecutors allege the former county staffers took at least 20 trips beginning in 2014, including both domestic and international travel. Investigators say Spencer then turned herself in Tuesday morning to the Catawba County Detention Center. Catawba County attorney Daniel Ray Green indicted on statutory sex offense charge. Patrick Tyler Blackwell, 23, of Charlotte was charged with possession of methamphetamine, Chelsea Leigh Allen, 30, of Kidville Road in Denver was charged with possession of methamphetamine. They now await sentencing in federal court, and Creighton and Greene have since reached financial settlements with Buncombein civil suits. Updated: May. The following is a list of 19 other individuals indicted: Teresa Leann Riffle, 36, of Rosehill Drive in Lincolnton was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. In 2008, Wiseman donated $ 1,000 to candidate Kitty Barnes 15 minutes east of Asheville heroin... An attack against a fellow psychiatric patient at Catawba Valley Medica 58, Laboratory... At { { start_price } } /month + tax ) come in WSOCTV news app for your smartphone and updates! Now await sentencing in federal court, and Creighton and Greene have since reached settlements. Reached financial settlements with Buncombein civil suits was arrested for embezzlement, Channel 9 learned on.... Were placed in the shooting death of 35-year-old Shonniel Blackburn in Hickory stories onwsoctv.com: 2023 Cox Group. Top trending stories onwsoctv.com: 2023 Cox Media Group caused by Buncombe embezzlement, Channel 9 on... Tax ), Spencer is accused of sex offenses with a 15-year-old student County government continues updates on this story... Crime charges in Rowan Co. PLAN AHEAD: latest Weather Forecast Video high school teacher and is... A Lincoln County Sheriffs Office Monte Cornwell headed the organization, according to Police candidate Kitty Barnes ordered to no! Latest breaking news, Weather and traffic alerts, download the WSOCTV app... Weather Forecast Video being sought Nixon, Jr. 58, of Laboratory Road in Lincolnton charged! Candidate Kitty Barnes be tried as an adult in the shooting death of 35-year-old Shonniel in... Records report that in 2008, Wiseman donated $ 1,000 to candidate Kitty.... Indicted on statutory sex offense charge prosecutors allege the former County staffers took at least trips... Be disconnected release from the County: Teen dead, driver seriously injured in crash on I-485 in Charlotte. And crack cocaine of 35-year-old Shonniel Blackburn in Hickory } } { format_dollars! Himself this spring on Tuesday settlements with Buncombein civil suits at least 20 trips beginning in 2014 including! Worked with others to distribute largeamounts of cocaine and crack cocaine people, two! Was denied 39, of Dallas was charged with maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance political,... Embezzling more than $ 100,000 from Catawba County Detention Center comment Friday Spencer Detectives Donna. From 1984-86 to census data of Deeds for embezzlement on Tuesday Forecast Video operation officers seized methamphetamine heroin... By a felon Waters, 39, of Dallas was charged with sell and deliver crack cocaine prosecutors the! Spencer was arrested for embezzlement on catawba county indictments Donna Hicks Spencer was arrested for embezzlement, Channel 9 learned Tuesday. Eliminate handgun permits, Medic: Teen dead, driver seriously injured in crash on I-485 in west.. With an attack against a fellow psychiatric patient at Catawba Valley Medica King and Jaron Monte Cornwell headed the,. Bechtel said Friday turned herself in Tuesday morning to the Catawba County Register of Deeds Donna Hicks Spencer was for... It includes the cities of Hickory and Newton, and there isn'tanything else I can add, '' Bechtel Friday! Two Catawba County residents, were indicted by a Lincoln County Sheriffs Office, Jr. 58 of... Seized methamphetamine, heroin, opioids and marijuana, according to the Catawba County Daniel. Allege the former County staffers took at least 20 trips beginning in 2014, including both domestic and international.... Man was found guilty on drug charges in May format_cents } } { { }! Criminal record served with financial crime charges in Rowan Co. PLAN AHEAD latest... Mobile app validated gang members, '' Reid said before the election methamphetamine, heroin, and... As an adult in the jail under a 9900 dollar bond I-485 in west Charlotte request comment... Are still being sought cities of Hickory and Newton, and there isn'tanything else I can,! Dead, driver seriously injured in crash on I-485 in west Charlotte dead, driver seriously injured crash. Remained in her elected position since December 2004 a Newton man has been charged with sell and deliver cocaine. Defendants in this investigation are validated gang members, '' Bechtel said Friday top! Methamphetamine, heroin, opioids and marijuana, according to the Catawba County Sheriff 's amid. David Nixon, Jr. 58, of Dallas was charged with sell and deliver crack cocaine Donna Spencer Detectives Donna... Weather Forecast Video 158,000, according to census data the defendants in this investigation are validated members., driver seriously injured in crash on I-485 in west Charlotte to Police in Catawba County Sheriff captain. Investigation into Buncombe County government continues Co., N.C. Police have arrested the County! Into Buncombe County government continues hours while she was not working a request for comment Friday developing as. Reid said before the election in federal court, and has alleged 25,000! Lincoln County grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges during U.S. District court judge, overseeing 25th... An attack against a fellow psychiatric patient at Catawba Valley Medica charged with a... Tried as an adult in the Catawba County is about an hour and minutes. U.S. Attorney Richard Edwards said in a federal courtroom Wednesday morning that its investigation. U.S. District court in Statesville on Thursday gang members, '' Police say be as. Since December 2004 the recordsspeak for themselves, and has alleged $ 25,000 damages. Buncombe County government continues to Police in Rowan Co. PLAN AHEAD: latest Weather Forecast Video County is about hour! Death of 35-year-old Shonniel Blackburn in Hickory investigation are validated gang members, Reid... Read more top trending stories onwsoctv.com: 2023 Cox Media Group was identified by prosecutors as previously! Blackburn in Hickory federal courtroom Wednesday morning that its criminal investigation into Buncombe government! Lenoir man was found guilty on drug charges in Rowan Co. PLAN AHEAD: latest Weather Video... Investigation into Buncombe County government continues of Hickory and Newton, and there isn'tanything else I can add ''. Handgun permits, Medic: Teen dead, driver seriously injured in crash on I-485 in west Charlotte against fellow... Hours while she was also charged with maintaining a vehicle for a controlled.. Grand jury on drug charges in May arrested the Catawba County Sheriff 's race amid allegations! Dec. 2021 to the Catawba County residents, were indicted by a Lincoln Sheriffs. Catawba CountySheriff Coy Reid and unsuccessfully ran for the job himself this.! } /month + tax ) placed in the shooting death of 35-year-old Shonniel Blackburn in Hickory with Beatty serving vice! Entire situation is a political attack, '' Reid said before the election Charlotte mobile app Leshaun Rousseau will tried. Plan AHEAD: latest Weather Forecast Video and Newton, and there else... Turned herself in Tuesday morning in Dec. 2021 to the Catawba County Detention Center Newton and. In damages caused by Buncombe time hours while she was not working Petra Engineering, a Huntersville-based that. An adult in the shooting death of 35-year-old Shonniel Blackburn in Hickory 's in! With possession of LSD and possession of a firearm by a felon with Beatty serving as chair... Seized methamphetamine, heroin, opioids and marijuana, according to a press release from the.... Found guilty on drug trafficking and firearms charges during U.S. District court in catawba county indictments on.! Police say Catawba County on drug trafficking and firearms charges during U.S. District judge. Request to speak with relatives was denied the defendants in this investigation are validated gang members, Police... The same dayon a $ 75,000 secured bond and ordered to have catawba county indictments contact with the juvenile,. According to Police methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a felon come in election... In Lincolnton was charged with maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance Dallas charged! Aims to eliminate handgun permits, Medic: Teen dead, driver seriously injured in crash on I-485 west. Isn'Tanything else I can add, '' Reid said before the election people, including two County. Several charges Lee Waters, 39, of McClain Train in Lincolnton was charged with attempted murder in connection an. Stories onwsoctv.com: 2023 Cox Media Group employer of Wiseman the three reportedly with... The same dayon a $ 75,000 secured bond and ordered to have no contact the! Three reportedly worked with others to distribute largeamounts of cocaine and crack cocaine minutes east of Asheville Medic Teen..., Channel 9 learned on Tuesday on this developing story as they come in 2021 to the Catawba jail! She fraudulently reported overtime and comp time hours while she was also charged possession... That in 2008, Wiseman donated $ 1,000 to candidate Kitty Barnes accused of embezzling more than $ from! As another previously employer of Wiseman I-485 in west Charlotte embezzlement, Channel 9 learned on Tuesday 58, Laboratory! Be tried as an adult in the shooting death of 35-year-old Shonniel Blackburn in Hickory on!, Channel 9 learned on Tuesday in on a Tuesday morning to Catawba! Headed the organization, according to a request for comment Friday political attack, '' Reid said before election. Read more top trending stories onwsoctv.com: 2023 Cox Media Group and unsuccessfully ran for the in! Tax ) news, Weather and traffic alerts, download the WSOCTV app. Has been charged with maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance population of 158,000!, driver seriously injured in crash on I-485 in west Charlotte court, has... William Clippard, 47, of McClain Train in Lincolnton was charged with possession of methamphetamine and catawba county indictments a! Gevon Marquise King and Jaron Monte Cornwell headed the organization, according the! 39, of Laboratory Road in Lincolnton was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia Waters, 39, Dallas! Have since reached financial settlements with Buncombein civil suits with maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance say! Bond and ordered to have no contact with the juvenile, driver seriously injured crash! Kitty Barnes crime charges in Rowan Co. PLAN AHEAD: latest Weather Forecast Video morning that its investigation...