Taylorsville, NC:  The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating an incident at a local school involving a 7 year old student who brought a weapon to school today.  Around lunchtime on Thursday, April 25, 2013 the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office was notified by staff at Sugar Loaf Elementary School that a first grade student had brought a handgun to school and that the weapon had been seized by school staff following their notification of its presence.  Officers immediately responded to the school and met with school staff onsite to ensure the safety of the students and launch an investigation into the incident.

The student who allegedly brought the weapon to school has been taken into custody and the weapon removed from school premises.  Officers have checked the school to ensure that no other weapons are present.  Due to the fact that this is an ongoing investigation involving a minor, the suspect’s name is not being released.  Authorities will release more information as it becomes available and commend the professionalism and quick response by the staff at Sugar Loaf Elementary School whose actions kept the students and staff there safe.  Disciplinary action by the Alexander County School System and charges by law enforcement are pending in the case.

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Officers who were searching for the driver and three occupants who wrecked their vehicle and then fled the scene on foot say that all suspects are now in custody.  Area officers responded to the crash site following the report by witnesses and immediately began looking for the four individuals who ran from the scene.   After a brief search, officers were able to located all four individuals within a one-half mile radius of the crash site.  The North Carolina Highway Patrol responded to the scene to investigate the crash, which resulted in property damage, and will be handling all charges that may stem from the incident.

The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office has arrested and charged Timothy Christopher Mounts age 36 of Taylorsville and Kimberly Setzer age 41 also of Taylorsville with one count each Fail to Store Firearm to Protect a Minor.  Both were arrested April 25, 2013 by Alexander County Sheriff Deputies.  Bond on both suspects was set at $1200.00.  Court date set for May 20, 2013 in Alexander County District Court.

Officers who were searching for the driver and three occupants who wrecked their vehicle and then fled the scene on foot say that all suspects are now in custody.  Area officers responded to the crash site following the report by witnesses and immediately began looking for the four individuals who ran from the scene.   After a brief search, officers were able to located all four individuals within a one-half mile radius of the crash site.  The North Carolina Highway Patrol responded to the scene to investigate the crash, which resulted in property damage, and will be handling all charges that may stem from the incident.

Authorities are searching for a New Outlook of Taylorsville resident who went missing on Tuesday April 23.  The man has been identified as Kevin McDonagh, white male age 62.  McDonagh was last seen wearing a white tank top and blue jeans.  He left walking on Wood RD in Taylorsville and suffers from Dementia or another cognitive impairment.  Anyone who has seen this individual is asked to call the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office at 828-632-4658.

MISSING: Kevin McDonagh

[April 26, 2013 - Taylorsville, NC]  Authorities are scaling back search efforts following an intensive five hour operation which used ground crews and air support with thermal cameras today in an effort to locate a resident who walked away from New Outlook of Taylorsville, a residential care facility in Alexander County.  The missing man is identified as Kevin Bary McDonagh, white male, age 62 and was last seen walking on Main Street in Taylorsville earlier this week.

Officers have been searching for McDonagh since he was reported missing but efforts were concentrated around New Outlook of Taylorsville today after authorities received information that he frequently walked in the wooded area surrounding the residential care facility.  Officers responded to the facility and set up a command post around 10:00 a.m. today.  Personnel from the Taylorsville Police Department, Alexander Rescue Squad, and Alexander County Emergency Services assisted the Sheriff’s Office in the search.  During the operation, searchers combed the rural area surrounding New Outlook on foot and by ATV.  To assist ground search crews, a North Carolina Highway Patrol helicopter was called to the scene to use their thermal imaging camera in an effort to locate the missing man. 

After searching the surrounding area and talking with people who lived nearby, no new leads as the whereabouts of McDonagh were developed.  Having exhausted all fresh leads, authorities decided to call off the ground search and scale efforts back until new information could be developed.

The public is still urged to be on the lookout for Kevin McDonagh and urged to call the Sheriff’s Office with any new information on his whereabouts.  Citizens can reach the Alexander County Emergency Communications center by dialing 828-632-4658 or 911 (if an emergency).  The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the agencies and personnel involved in today’s search efforts.

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Lee Earnest Williams

Investigators with the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office have arrested Lee Earnest Williams, age 31 of Gastonia. Williams was registered as a sex offender in Alexander County; however, Williams was not living in Alexander County. Investigators learned that he was living in Gaston County. A warrant was issued for him for failing to register as a sex offender. Gaston County arrested Williams and he is currently being held under a $210,500 secured bond. His first court appearance is April 30, 2013. Iredell County Sheriff’s Office and Gaston County Sheriff’s Office have warrants for failing to register in their jurisdictions.

Robert Steven Bush

On April 19, 2013, investigators with the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office arrested Robert Steven Bush, age 44, of Statesville.  Bush was charged with one count of Failing to Register as a Sex Offender due to the fact that he did not change his address when he moved from Alexander County to Iredell County.  Bush was placed under a $500 secured bond and his first court appearance is scheduled for April 22, 2013 in District Court.

Kevin Driscoll II

On Wednesday April, 24^th Investigators with the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kevin Driscoll II on one count of Felony Larceny.  Driscoll was doing contract work for Charter Communications at a residence located in Alexander County on April 12, 2013.  Approximately $7000.00 worth of Jewelry was stolen from the residence.  Some of the Stolen Property has been recovered.  Bond was set at $2500.00 on Driscoll.   First appearance set for Monday April 29^th.

Donald Scott Young

On Monday, May 6 2013 at approximately 10:00 a.m. the Alexander County Emergency Communications Center received an alert from the NC Highway Patrol dispatch requesting officers to be on the lookout for a silver Dodge Charger that was traveling north on NC Highway 16 from Catawba County.  According to the alert, the car had been clocked by a trooper travelling at 116 mph on NC Highway 16.  Officers responded to the NC Highway 16 south area to attempt to locate the vehicle.  An officer observed a silver Dodge Charger operated by a white male travelling north on NC Highway 16 in the area of Fairgrounds RD.  When the officer turned around to follow the vehicle, the driver accelerated and passed two cars in a no passing zone.  The officer activated his blue light and siren to stop the vehicle but the driver again accelerated and began trying to elude law enforcement.

The pursuit continued down Macedonia Church RD onto Paul Payne Store RD where officers lost sight of the suspect vehicle.  Additional officers responded to the area and began searching for the vehicle.  The vehicle was sighted on Boston RD and one officer deployed his stop stick pursuit intervention devices in an attempt to deflate the fleeing vehicle’s tires to bring the pursuit to a safe end.  When the stop sticks were deployed, however, the suspect vehicle was able to maneuver around them and disappear from view.  Officers then received information that the vehicle had been seen entering the parking lot at a local furniture plant on the east end of Taylorsville.  Officers responded to the pant and located the vehicle and suspect.

No injuries or property damage were reported as a result of the pursuit.  The driver of the Dodge Charger was identified as Donald Scott Young, W/M age 21 of Burke County.  Young was arrested on charges of Felony Flee/Elude Arrest With motor Vehicle; Fail to Stop at Stop Sign; Reckless Driving with Wanton Disregard; Fail to Heed Blue Light or Siren; and Unsafe Passing on Yellow Line.  Young was placed in the Alexander County Detention Center under a $15,000 bond with a court appearance of May 6^th, 2013.  The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the Taylorsville Police Department for their efforts in helping locate Young.

[May 9, 2013 - Taylorsville, NC]  A two-year undercover drug investigation has culminated with the arrest of 11 individuals and warrants on 3 additional suspects who are currently being sought.  The arrests are a result of a narcotics roundup, code-named Operation Hailstorm, which commenced with the execution of a narcotics search warrant at a residence on Old Mountain RD in Hiddenite during the early morning hours of May 8, 2013.  Throughout the remainder of the day officers split into small arrest teams and served warrants on individuals who had been involved in the sale and delivery of controlled substances during the two-year investigation.  The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in the investigation by members of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, NC Alcohol Law Enforcement, Mooresville Police Department, and Taylorsville Police Department.

Slideshow of search warrant served at residence on Old Mountain RD

The following individuals were arrested and charged with the offenses below:

• Bridgette Nichole Walker – W/F age 27 of Clanton DR, Taylorsville charged with Sell/Deliver Controlled Substance; Possession With Intent to Sell/Deliver Controlled Substance; Maintain Vehicle/Dwelling for Controlled Substance – bond set at $15,000 with court appearance scheduled for May 13, 2013.
• Catina Rae Joines – W/F age 36 of Rocky Springs RD, Taylorsville charged with Sell/Deliver Controlled Substance; Possession With Intent to Manufacture Sell or Deliver a Controlled Substance; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – bond set at $15,000 with court appearance scheduled for May 13, 2013.
• Donnie Ray Flowers – B/M age 55 of Clearview LN, Taylorsville charged with Sell/Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance; Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance – bond set at $10,000 with court appearance scheduled for May 13, 2013.
• Shaun Anthony Flowers – B/M age 28 of Clanton DR, Taylorsville charged with Sell/Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance;  Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Cocaine; and Maintain Vehicle/Dwelling for Controlled Substance - bond set at $10,000 with court appearance scheduled for May 13, 2013.
• Trevor Dee Weldon – W/M age 27 of Prichard LN, Hiddenite charged with 4 counts each Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Schedule III Controlled Substance; and Sell/Deliver Schedule III Controlled Substance – bond set at $22,000 with court appearance scheduled for May 13, 2013.
• Kodie Allen Farley – W/M age 19 of Savannah LN, Taylorsville charged with Sell/Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance; Maintain Vehicle/Dwelling for Controlled Substance; and Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell or Deliver Schedule VI Controlled Substance – bond set at $10,000 with court appearance scheduled for May 13, 2013.
• Byron Lee Strang – W/M age 20 of NC Highway 127, Taylorsville charged with Sell/Deliver Schedule VI Controlled Substance; Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver Schedule VI Controlled Substance; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – bond set at $10,000 with court appearance scheduled for May 13, 2013.
• Mesha Darika Poole – B/F age 33 of Old Mountain RD, Hiddenite charged with Sell/Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance; and Possession with Intent to Manufacture,  Sell, or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance – bond set at $10,000 with court appearance scheduled for May 13, 2013.
• Dante Lajuane Rankins – B/M age 38 of Old Mountain RD, Hiddenite charged with Sell/Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance; and Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance – bond set at $15,000 with court appearance scheduled for May 13, 2013.
• Darius Dewaun Howell – B/M age 32 of Rodney LN, Taylorsville charged with Sell/Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance; and Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance – bond set at $20,000 with court appearance scheduled for May 13, 2013.
• Brent Keith Stewart – W/M age 29 of Teague Town RD, Taylorsville charged with Sell/Deliver Schedule VI Controlled Substance; Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver Schedule VI Controlled Substance; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – bond set at $10,000 with court appearance scheduled for May 13, 2013.

The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office currently has outstanding warrants for arrest on the following three individuals:

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of these individuals is asked to call the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office at 828-632-4658 or Alexander County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 828-632-8555.  Calls to the Tip Line are anonymous.

ARRESTED: Maurice Antonio Howell

[May 10, 2013 - Taylorsville, NC]  Authorities report that one of the three men who was being sought on narcotics warrants from Wednesday morning’s drug roundup is now in custody under a $15,000 bond.  Maurice Antonio Howell (pictured at left) turned himself in to authorities on Thursday morning (May 9) to face several drug charges stemming from a two-year drug investigation in Alexander County.

The officers are still looking for Brandon Clouse and Joshua Ryan Billips (both pictured above) on outstanding warrants stemming from the same investigation.  Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of these two individuals is asked to contact the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office at 828-632-4658 or Crime Stoppers at 828-632-8555.  Callers may remain anonymous.

Scams are all around us in many forms, but in today’s electronic age they seem to be very abundant online.  A recent text messaging scam that is targeting locals has been brought to the attention of the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office.  This scam is a “Phishing” scam that is designed to elicit personal information from the victim by using a realistic guise that prompts the victim to enter their bank account information in order to verify their account details and activity with their bank.  The victim may receive a text message like the ones pictured below that prompts them to follow a link to a website where they are asked to enter their Social Security number or account information for verification.  This information may then be used by the scammer to commit identity theft that can cause the victim both financial and legal troubles.

As a general rule, your bank will NEVER ask for information through email or text messaging regarding your account.  Some banks do have a legitimate fraud department with agents that monitor activity on your account and may contact you via telephone to alert you to suspicious activity.  These callers will have your information already and should not be asking you to verify this over the phone.  If you are in doubt about a suspicious call or message you receive  do not respond and call your bank to inquire about their fraud protection practices to see if the call or message you have received is in fact from your financial institution.  Do not fall victim to these scams; remember “If in doubt, check it out!”.

Robert James Mcalpin of Claremont was arrested on May 8^th 2013. By Alexander County Sheriff Deputies.  A crime stoppers tip lead deputies to a residence Located on Mount Wesley Church rd in Hiddenite. When Deputies arrived they found Mcalpin in possession of numerous Vicodin and Klonopin tablets. Mcalpin was arrested and charged with Trafficking 14 to 28 grams of opium. Mcalpin was placed under a $35,000 secured bond with a first appearance scheduled for May 13^th.  Also arrested at the residence was Marshall Gordon Campbell age 37 of Taylorsville.  He was located hiding in a closet.  Campbell was arrested for Outstanding Child Support Warrants.  His bond was set at $4527.70 cash.  First appearance May 13, 2013.

Catina Rae Joines

On Wednesday, 05/08/2013, Catina Rae Joines age 36 of Taylorsville was arrested on Drug Charges stemming from a 2 year undercover operation.  She, along with several others were arrested and brought to the Alexander County Detention Center.    One of the female detention officers on duty conducted a search of Ms. Joines and subsequently discovered illegal drugs that she had hidden in her genital area.  Ms. Joines had in her possession 1.5 grams of a crystal type substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.  She also had in her possession marijuana that was less than ½ gram.  Ms. Joines is being charged with Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance, Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and (2) Two Counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance on the Premises of a Prison or Local Confinement Facility.  Bond was set at $15,000.00.  Her first appearance is set for May 13, 2013.

[May 16, 2013 - Taylorsville]  The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office is investigating recent scrap metal thefts that occurred in the Happy Plains RD area and needs the public’s help in identifying the three suspects captured in the act on surveillance cameras.   If you know who any of the three people pictured below are, or have any information pertaining to this case, you are asked to call Investigator Daniel Millsaps at 828-632-1111 or the Alexander County Crime Stopper’s Tip Line at 828-632-8555.  Callers may remain anonymous and may qualify for a reward.

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Three subjects have been arrested for recent scrap metal theft.  A crime stoppers tip led detectives to a residence in Catawba County where the three suspects lived. Nathaniel Wilson age 47, Mary White age 45 and Junior Bumgarner age 75 were arrested and charged with two counts of misdemeanor larceny and one count of felony larceny. Nathaniel’s Bond is set at $11,000 secured. Mary and Junior’s bond is set at $5,000 secured with a first court appearance on May 20, 2013. Detectives continue to investigating other larcenies in the area and more charges are expected.

Sheriff Chris Bowman has announced that he intends to implement a new online gun purchase permitting system beginning June 3rd, 2013.  The new system will be a joint effort between the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office and Advanced Imaging Systems headquartered in Pineville, NC.  The system will afford the user the ability to apply for gun purchase permits from any location where they can access the internet, complete their payment online for their requested permits, and be notified electronically when their permits are ready to be picked up.

The intention of the new permitting system is to reduce the time that people have to wait in the Sheriff’s Office lobby for employees to process permits and to make the workflow of these employees more streamlined and efficient.  The online permitting system is the same one that is currently in use by the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and other area law enforcement agencies.

“Citizens will no longer have to come to the Sheriff’s Office and wait for long periods of time to obtain their gun permits”, noted Sheriff Chris Bowman, “The workload for gun permits kept increasing but I couldn’t justify adding more staff to handle the requests because the demand comes and goes; this will be the simplest and most economical fix to that problem”.

Several counties across North Carolina (pictured in yellow) have already transitioned to this new online permitting service, as noted in the graphic below.

The new application process will allow the applicant to obtain their permit in the following simple steps:

1. Access the application portal online through a link on the Sheriff’s Office website (located at www.AlexanderSheriff.org) which will appear on the site on June 3, 2013.
2. Complete the background portion of the application online
3. Pay the application and processing fee online via credit card
4. Await email instructions from staff to come to pick up the permit in person

Permit costs will remain at $5 per permit with a maximum request of four (4) permits per application.  There will be a $3 processing and convenience fee added to the total transaction (not each permit) which is collected by the permitting system vendor.  The applicant will also be responsible for any associated credit card processing fees charged by their card company, which are generally very nominal.  Though the permit cost is increasing slightly, Sheriff Bowman feels that increase is offset by the savings that citizens will have by avoiding the need to drive to the Sheriff’s Office several times to complete the process.  Even at this slightly higher total cost, Alexander County gun permits will still remain below the cost of some nearby counties that charge up to $10 per permit.

For citizens who do not have internet access at home, Sheriff Bowman plans to offer an application kiosk in the Sheriff’s Office lobby where citizens can apply and pay for permits.  Citizens who prefer not to use the credit card payment option may still pay cash in person at the Sheriff’s Office and receive a “coupon code” that will allow them to complete the application online.  As with any new service, Sheriff Bowman asks that the citizens of Alexander County be patient as both they and his staff adjust to using this new system.

In the near future, Sheriff Bowman plans to implement an online Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) application and permitting system patterned after the gun permit system.  The CCW system will feature a scheduling module that will allow the applicant to schedule a specific day and time for them to pick up their completed documentation and permit once approved.  This will greatly reduce the time it takes for applicants to complete this process while allowing staff to work on pending applications at their own pace.  This same scheduling system will eventually be implemented for persons needing fingerprinting services for job applications hopefully eliminating the long wait times some have experienced for this service.

Cassandra Ostrander

On May 22, 2013 Investigators with the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office charged and arrested Cassandra Ostrander, age 30, of Taylorsville with 5 counts of Obtaining Property by False Pretenses and 1 count of Identity Theft.  Ostrander was placed under a $2500 secured bond.  Her first court appearance is scheduled for June 3, 2013.