On Monday, December 31, 2018 at approximately 2:00 PM, an officer responded in the area of Walker and Bryant Rd, which is located in the Ellendale Community of Alexander County in reference to a suspicious vehicle. Officers located the suspicious vehicle. The vehicle refused to stop, resulting in the officer giving chase with blue lights and siren. The chase began and the vehicle turned onto Three Forks Church Road, turned left onto Chapman Mill Road, and then turned right onto Oxford School Road. The vehicle pulled into a driveway located at a residence on Oxford School Road. The driver was ordered out of the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle refused the commands given by the officer and attempted to enter the residence located on Oxford School Road. The driver continuously refused commands given by the officer. At this point, the officer deployed his taser and the driver was taken into custody. The driver has been identified as Steven Wayne Fidler, W/M, age 45 of Oxford School Road. He was charged with Flee/Elude Arrest in Motor Vehicle, Resisting Arrest, Fail to Heed Lights or Siren, and Driving While Impaired, Parole Violation, and Driving While License Revoked. He was also wanted for a Parole Violation in Richmond County. Fidler was placed under a $25,000 secured bond for the charges by Alexander County, and is being held without bond for the Parole Violation out of Richmond County. Fidler has a first appearance scheduled for Monday, January 7, 2019 in Alexander County District Court.

On December 27, 2018 at approximately 11:00 PM, officers responded to a residence located in Rink Dam Road in the Wittenburg Community of Alexander County in reference to an intoxicated female causing a disturbance.  Officers arrived at the residence and found Laura Williams Walker, W/F, age 41 of Taylorsville.  Walker was found in the backseat of a vehicle located at the residence, and she refused multiple commands given by the officers.  Walker was asked several times to exit the vehicle. At one point, Walker did exit the vehicle, and began shoving and assaulting the officers. She was arrested and charged with Resisting a Public Officer and Assault on a Government Official. Walker was transported to the Alexander County Detention Center where she is being held under a $1,500 secured bond.  Walker has a first appearance date set for January 28, 2019 in Alexander County District Court.

Adam Colby Starnes age 40 of Taylorsville arrested on January 2, 2019.  Charged with Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance.  Bond set at $5000.00.  Trial Date January 7, 2019.

Gene Lee Greer Jr age 36 of Taylorsville arrested January 3, 2019.  Charged with Breaking and Entering, and resisting arrest.  Bond set at $20,000.00.  Trial Date February 18, 2019. 

Jeana Potter age 43 of Granite Falls arrested January 4, 2019.  Charged with Possession of a Schedule IV and Schedule VI Controlled Substance also Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Bond was set at $3500.00.  Trial Date set for February 11, 2019.

Amanda Nicole Childers age 39 of Taylorsville arrested January 7, 2019.  Charged with Possession of a Schedule II Controlled substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Bond Set at $10,000.00.  Trial Date set for January 7, 2019.

On Thursday, January 17, 2019, at approximately 9:00 PM, inmate Jason Todd Mullen, W/M age 33, of Statesville, was assisting two other inmates along with a detention officer in removing trash from the Alexander County Detention Center to be put in the dumpster.  Inmate Mullen took off running and crossed Commercial Park Avenue headed toward Catawba Valley Community College.  Mullen stole a truck that was parked at Catawba Valley Community College.  The truck was left in the parking lot with the keys in the ignition.  Mullen was located later on Highway 90 East near the solar panel farm in Hiddenite.  The stolen truck was located in a muddy field by officers.  When officers were approaching the truck, they could hear Mullen trying to get out of the mud by revving the engine.  Mullen was unable to get out of the mud with the truck. Mullen exited the truck and ran, leaving the vehicle behind.  The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office K-9 was sent in to assist in the tracking of the inmate, although the K-9 was unable to locate Mullen.  At this point, Iredell County Sheriff’s Office K-9s were asked to respond to the scene, along with Iredell County Sheriff’s Office drone to assist in the search. The Iredell Count Sheriff’s Office drone and K-9s were also unable to locate Mullen. At this time, Iredell County’s bloodhound was asked to respond to the scene. The bloodhound responded and was given a scent article.  The bloodhound tracked a trail to an abandoned mobile home off of Highway 90 East. Mullen was located inside the abandoned mobile home and was taken into custody at approximately 4:30 AM on Friday, January 18, 2019.  Mullen was transported to the Alexander County Detention Center, after which he was transported to a local hospital for medical clearance.  At this time, Mullen is charged with one count of Escape from a Detention Facility and one count of felony Larceny of a Vehicle.  Mullen is currently being held under a $100,000 secured bond for the charges currently filed with more charges pending under further investigation. His first appearance date for the charges listed is Tuesday, January 22, 2018 in Alexander County District Court.

Sheriff Bowman would like to thank Sheriff Darren Campbell and the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office for the use of their staff and equipment in the search.  Sheriff Bowman would also like to thank Taylorsville Police Department, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and North Carolina Probation and Parole for their assistance in the search.  

The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office has filed charges against three individuals for a Breaking Entering and Larceny of a residence in the Liberty Church Road area back in December 2018. Arrested and Charged are Kisha Dianne Boggs age 33 of Claremont, Gary Dustin Letterman age 30 of Newton and Jamie Dale Call age 35 of Hiddenite. All Three suspects were charged with Felony Breaking Entering and Larceny. Boggs was placed under a $36,000.00 Bond, Letterman was placed under a $25,000.00 Bond and Call was placed under a $15,000.00 Bond. First Appearance in Alexander County District Court is set for January 28, 2019. Some of the stolen property has been recovered by Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office. The investigation is continuing.

Logan Ray Justus age 19 of Hickory was arrested January 14, 2019. He is charged with Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and DWI. Bond was set at $1000.00. Trial Date February 25, 2019.

James Monroe Sheets age 42 of Taylorsville was arrested January 15, 2019. He is charged with Larceny. Bond was set at $1000.00. Trial Date January 28, 2019.

Anastasia Shuford age 26 of Hiddenite was arrested January 15, 2019. She is charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond set at $1000.00. Trial Date January 28, 2019.

Travis Scott Melvin age 31 of Stony Point was arrested January 15, 2019. He is charged with Battery on a Unborn Child and Assault on a female. No bond was set. Trial date February 11, 2019.

Raven Duncan Brown age 32 of Taylorsville was arrested January 20, 2019. She is charged with Felony Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. Bond set at $5000.00. Trial Date January 28, 2019.

Randall Lee Hager age 33 of Statesville was arrested January 22, 2019. He is charged with Criminal Contempt of Court and Possession of Controlled Substance while in the detention facility. Bond was set at $3000.00. Trial date set for January 28, 2019.

Michael Joseph Passmore age 41 of Stony Point was arrested January 22, 2019. He is charged with Possession with intent to sell and deliver Methamphetamine and Maintain a Vehicle for Controlled Substance. Bond was set at $25,000.00. Trial date set for February 11, 2019.

On Tuesday, January 29, 2019, at approximately 3:30 PM, officers with the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office and Taylorsville Police Department conducted a vehicle stop on a gray 2002 Toyota Tacoma on East Main Street in Taylorsville. The vehicle was stopped in reference to the hit and run that occurred at a residence on Piney Grove Road on Wednesday, January 23, 2019. The residence that was struck in this incident resulted in approximately $35,000 in damage. Marquis Alexander Shuford, B/M age 32 of Claremont, was the driver of the vehicle. Shuford was arrested and transported to the Alexander County Detention Center, where he was charged with two counts of Driving while License Revoked, one count of Hit and Run/Fail to Stop for Property Damage, one count of Damage to Personal Property, one count of Damage to Real Property, and one count of Failure to Report an Accident. He is being held under a $15,000 secured bond with a first appearance date of March 4, 2019 in Alexander County District Court.

-Jason Lee Barnes age 41 of Taylorsville arrested January 25, 2019. He is charged with 7 Counts of Breaking and Entering of a Motor Vehicle and 7 Counts of Larceny. Bond set at $15,000.00. Trial date January 28, 2019.

-Kathy Moody Townsend age 63 of Connelly Springs arrested January 24, 2019. She is charged with Felony Obtaining Property by a False Pretense. Bond set at $5,000.00. Trial date set for January 28, 2019.                                             –

-Cassie Johnson age 28 of Hiddenite arrested January 24, 2019. She is charged with Filing a False Police Report. Bond set at $2500.00. Trial date set for February 25, 2019.                                                                                         –

-Farryn Elizabeth Presnell age 18 of Taylorsville arrested January 28, 2019. She is charged with Breaking Entering and Larceny. Bond set at $5,000.00. Trial date set for February 4, 2019.

On Wednesday, February 6th, 2019, after a lengthy joint investigation with Detectives from Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office, Investigators from the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office interviewed Ronald Eugene Adams from Millers Creek. After the interview, Mr. Adams was charged with 3 counts of First Degree Statutory Sex Offense with a Child Under 13. He was also charged with 13 counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child. All of the incidences occurred in Alexander County between 2013 and 2014. He was arrested and placed in the Alexander County Detention Center under a $1,500,000.00 Secured Bond. Mr. Adams is scheduled for his first appearance on Monday, February 11th, 2019 in District Court in Taylorsville. This case is still under investigation.

On Saturday, February 9, 2019 at approximately 12:00 PM, Alexander County 911 received a call in reference to two deceased individuals in a residence located on Mount Wesley Church Road in the Stony Point community. Stony Point First Responders and Officers arrived at the residence and found two deceased white male individuals with multiple gunshot wounds. The two individuals were located in different areas inside the residence, and have been identified as Chad Lee Kennedy, W/M age 38 of the residence, and Mark Jefferson Furey, W/M, age 57 of Taylorsville. In the early morning hours of Saturday, at approximately 1:00 AM, four neighbors near the residence on Mount Wesley Church Road reported a person knocking on their mobile home doors as well as the side of their mobile homes. The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office is looking to locate the individual who was knocking on the residences and encourages that individual to please contact the Sheriff’s Office. The investigation is still continuing at this time. If anyone has any information, please contact the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office at (828) 632-1111 or Alexander County Crimestoppers at (828) 632-8555.

On Monday, February 4th, 2019, Investigators from the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office were notified about a possible sexual assault of a child. Further investigation revealed that the suspect in this case is 47 year old Roger Lee Dyson, Jr. of Taylorsville. As a result of the investigation, Mr. Dyson was charged with (1) count of First Degree Statutory Rape of a Child Under 13, (4) counts of First Degree Statutory Sex Offense with a Child Under 13, and (4) counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child. The investigation revealed that this occurred in Alexander County between August and October of 2018. On Thursday, February 14th 2019, Mr. Dyson was arrested at his residence and taken to the Alexander County Detention Center where he was placed under a $1,500,000.00 Secured Bond. Mr. Dyson is scheduled for his first appearance on Monday, February 18th, 2019 in District Court in Taylorsville. This case is still under investigation.

The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on the location of Adam Thomas Morgan. He is described as a white male age 20 5’10” approximately 200lbs brown hair blue eyes. He was last seen today at approximately 4:00 PM on the Old Mountain Road, Stony Point headed toward Alexander County near the Iredell and Alexander County line. Morgan is wanted by the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office for two counts of First Degree Murder. The suspect vehicle is described as an older model dark color suv type vehicle. The vehicle was driven by a white female and Morgan was a passenger. The vehicle had a NC temporary tag on same. Anyone with information on the location of Adam Thomas Morgan is asked to contact the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office at 828-632-2911 or the Alexander County Crimestoppers at 828-632-8555. Morgan is considered armed and dangerous.

• Richard Darryl Johnson III age 28 of Taylorsville arrested March 12, 2019. He is charged with (1) count of Felony Disseminate Obscenity. Bond was set at $10,000.00. Court date set for March 18, 2019.                                           
• Harlis Ray Crum III age 32 of Stony Point arrested March 13, 2019. He is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $1500.00. Court date set for March 18, 2019.
• Precious Hope Aldridge age 33 of Taylorsville was arrested March 12, 2019. She is charged with Larceny of a Motor Vehicle. Bond was set at $9000.00. Court date set for March 18, 2019.                                                          
• Gordon Eugene Yoder age 37 of Taylorsville was arrested March 11, 2019. He is charged with Violation of Pretrial Release. Bond set for $20,000.00. Court date set for March 18, 2019.                                                          
• Bobby Lee Minton age 34 of Stony Point was arrested March 9, 2019. He is charged with Resisting Arrest, Damage to Property and Vandalism. Bond set at $2400.00. Court date set for April 1, 2019.                                       
•  Joshua Carl Pennell arrested March 5, 2019. He is charged with Sex Offender being on School Property. Bond set at $1000.00. Court date set for March 11, 2019.

On Friday, March 15, 2019, warrants were issued for Robert Bryan Hoover, Adam Thomas Morgan, and Brandy Lynn Miller. Their charges are as follows:    

– Robert Bryan Hoover, W/M, age 36 of Stony Point: Two Counts of First Degree Murder.                                                                                                            

-Adam Thomas Morgan, W/M, age 20 of Stony Point: Two Counts of First Degree Murder.                                                                                                          

-Brandy Lynn Miller, W/F, age 28 of Stony Point: Two Counts of Accessory After the Fact.                                                                                                          

These charges stem from an ongoing investigation into an incident that occurred on February 9, 2019 at the residence of Chad Kennedy, located on Mount Wesley Church Road in the Stony Point Community. On Friday, March 15, 2019, detectives with the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office met with the District Attorney’s Office to discuss facts in reference to the double-homicide case. After the meeting, it was determined that the above charges would be issued. On Friday afternoon, Sheriff Bowman sent two investigators to Smyth County, Virginia to locate Robert Bryan Hoover and Brandy Lynn Miller. At approximately 4:30 PM, Hoover and Miller were located in Smyth County by the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office, Saltville Police Department, Chilhowie Police Department and Virginia State Police. Hoover and Miller were taken into custody without incident. On Friday afternoon, at approximately 5:00 PM, Iredell County Sheriff’s Office and Alexander County Sheriff’s Office went to the residence of Adam Thomas Morgan, located on County Line Road inside Iredell County. A search of the Morgan residence was conducted, and Morgan was not located at his residence. At approximately 2:00 AM on Saturday morning, March 16, 2019, Morgan was located at a residence off of Three Forks Church Road in Taylorsville. Morgan was taken into custody without incident. Adam Thomas Morgan had a first appearance in Alexander County District Court on Monday, March 18, 2019. Attorney Joel Harbinson was appointed to represent Morgan. Morgan is being held without bond in the Alexander County Detention Center. Robert Bryan Hoover and Brandy Lynn Miller are currently being held in the custody of Southwest Virginia Regional Jail. Hoover and Miller are awaiting an extradition hearing and are being held without bond. Sheriff Bowman would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance given in the investigation: • Sheriff Darren Campbell and his staff with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office • Sheriff B.C. Shuler and his staff of the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office • Saltville Police Department • Chilhowie Police Department • Virginia State Police • Federal Bureau of Investigation • Chief Dennis James and the Taylorsville Police Department .    

This investigation is continuing and more arrests may be forthcoming. Authority Sheriff Chris Bowman

The Alexander Co. Sheriff’s Office is searching for the whereabouts of a Antonio Castillo in connection with a homicide that occurred this morning in the Hiddenite Community. Warrants for 1st Degree Murder have been filed on Castillo. He is believed to be possibly operating a dark color 2006 Nissan Altima possibly charcoal blue or green in color. Mr. Castillo is believed to be armed and dangerous. If anyone has any information on his location they are urged to call the Alexander Co. Sheriff’s Office at 828-632-2911 or Crime Stoppers at 828-632-8555. More information will be released at a later time as the investigation is still on-going.

Authority of Sheriff Chris Bowman

On Sunday, March 24, 2019, at approximately 11:44 AM, Alexander County 911 received a call in reference to a subject that had been shot. Officers responded to a residence located on Middle Road in the Stony Point Community of Alexander County. Officers arrived on the scene and found Blade Mckinley Campbell, W/M, age 23 of Taylorsville deceased from multiple gunshot wounds. It is believed that Mr. Campbell and Antonio Castillo, Hispanic Male, age 22 of Stony Point were in an altercation when Castillo pulled a pistol and shot Campbell. A BOLO for Antonio Castillo was immediately put out for his arrest. Castillo was believed to be traveling in a 2006 Nissan Altima, dark in color. At approximately 4:00 PM, the vehicle was located on Pierpoint Lane in Taylorsville. Castillo was not located with the vehicle. At approximately 4:20 PM, officers located Castillo at a residence on Jessica Lee Lane (across from Pierpoint Lane) in Taylorsville. Officers approached the residence. Castillo began running through a field. Officers gave chase and arrested Castillo. Officers located two bags on Castillo, containing an AR-15 along with numerous rounds of ammunition. The AR-15 was not the weapon used in the incident. Castillo was charged with Murder and is currently being held in the Alexander County Detention Center under no bond. His first appearance is scheduled for Monday, March 25, 2019 in Alexander County District Court. More charges may follow. As of this time, the murder weapon used in this incident has not been located. Anyone with information regarding this incident, please call the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office at (828)632-1111 or Alexander County CrimeStoppers at (828)632-8555. Authority Sheriff Chris Bowman

On March 26, 2019 at approximately 5:30 PM, Alexander County 911 received a fire call in reference to a residence being on fire on Marvin Church Court in the Stony Point Community. Stony Point, Hiddenite, and Wittenburg Fire Departments responded to the call, along with Alexander County EMS, the Alexander County Fire Marshal and Alexander County Sheriff’s Office Detectives. David Gaines, of the residence, who was wheelchair bound,  was discovered deceased in the fire.   Mrs. Gaines sustained burns trying to get Mr. Gaines out of the residence. Carolinas Medical Center helicopter was called to fly out Mrs. Gaines who had second and third-degree burns. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, along with Alexander County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Marshal’s Office detectives returned to the residence this morning, March 27, 2019, for further investigation into the origin of the fire. The investigation is continuing. Authority of Sheriff Chris Bowman

Investigators with the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office are attempting to locate a vehicle involved in a larceny which occurred last week in the Heritage Farms Development of the Bethlehem Community. The suspect vehicle is believed to be a black or dark green 90’s model Ford Ranger extra-cab pickup with no tailgate. The suspects entered a residential car port and removed tools and other items. Anyone with information on this vehicle is urged to call the Alexander Co. Sheriff’s Office at 828-632-2911 or call Crime Stoppers at 828-632-8555. Information received which leads to an arrest could be eligible for a reward.

Investigators with the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a breaking and entering that occurred during the early morning hours of March 21st at the Perry Lowe Apple House on NC 16 north near the Wilkes County line. The suspect broke an office window and entered into the business to take coins from a money box before fleeing on foot. Surveillance video of the suspect shows them to be wearing a hooded jacket or possible coveralls with a bandanna on their face. The suspect was wearing tennis shoes with reflective trim and was carrying a pry tool. They also appear to have been wearing dark thick rimmed glasses. A similar break in occurred at the business approximately a month and a half ago. A reward is being offered for any information leading to the arrest of the individual responsible in this case. Please call the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office at 828-632-2911 or Crime Stoppers at 828-632-8555 if you have any information.

Abrahan Silvacastandea age 29 of Hickory was arrested March 22, 2019. He is charged with Fail to Appear for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond set at $9000.00. Court Date March 25, 2019.                                                       

Andrew Emilious Justice age 34 of Hiddenite was arrested March 25, 2019. He is charged with Larceny. Bond set at $2500.00. Court Date May 6, 2019.     

Brittany Jean Shook age 28 of Taylorsville was arrested March 26, 2019. She is charged with Larceny. Bond set at $1000.00. Court Date May 6, 2019.      

Joshua Ray Begley age 27 of Hickory was arrested March 30, 2019. He is charged with Flee to Elude Arrest, Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond set at $25000.00. Court Date April 22, 2019.                                                                                 

Christopher Kyle Chester age 32 of Taylorsville was arrested March 31, 2019. He is charged with Assault on Emergency Personnel, Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond set at $40,000.00. Court date April 1, 2019.                                                              

Paul Benjamin Elder age 61 of Taylorsville was arrested April 1, 2019. He is charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance. Bond set at $2500.00. Court Date May 6, 2019.       

Laura Williams Walker age 41 of Taylorsville was arrested April 1, 2019. She is charged with Violation of Pre-Trial Release, Second Degree Trespass and Resist a Public Officer. Bond set at $5000.00. Court date May 6, 2019.